Search - Busy Signals :: Step Out

The Next Generation?. . .

Achis | Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM | 09/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Roughly every 4 years or so the fraternity of dancehall elite will open its doors and welcome a 'new' member or 2. These artists aren't typically NEW at all, however, they have now reached a level of popularity and (usually) ability which warrants their promotion in the dance. A few years ago it did so and in walked Vybz Kartel and Assassin. A few years before that there was Ward 21, TOK and Ce'cile.



This year its the turns of Busy Signal and Idonia. And it just so happens that Busy is up to bat first. Busy, hailing from St Ann's (home!) has somewhat followed in the steps of Kartel: An indepth idolizing of Bounty Killa, followed by a meeting with the Warlord, a few years on the underground and finally hitting the big time with his mega boomshot, Step Out. He also signed a deal for his debut (and i believe 2 followups) with UK reggae giant Greensleeves. His style could even be perhaps best described as a combination of the Killa and Kartel (as you could probably best describe Kartel as a combo of Killa and Madd Anju), and he has had much much fanfare over his seriously top notch skill.



While not as lyrically dexterous as Kartel (and who is) Busy has an almost blind aggressive command over a track which makes all of his tune, if not at least worth the price of admission, then definitely worth listening. However, what he shows on his debut, which you couldn't have imagined Kartel showing. . . even until recently, is a soft spot.



Taking in account that Step Out is Busy's debut full length album (and he produces it) it is well impressive. The best tune is definitely That Bad. That Bad is an ultra-clever ode to the rest of the dancehall (and even some out of the dancehall) taking lines from nearly everyone from Kartel to Killa; and from Kalonji to the Fugees! The song is somewhat along the lines of Kartel's Robbery and Kiprich's Baby Song, just well done, and arguably better than either tune.



Also check the combinations: The Bounty Killa combination, Do The Maths (interesting Kartel and Killa had a combination called Maths Automatic) is exactly what you would expect, the knock you over the head militaristic style showdown. Check the second single Not Going Down which is a tune with a message described as a straight jump up dancehall record. Busy even comes armed with 'his own' Wayne Marshall who Kartel came up with, in Movado with whom has 2 combinations with on Step Out, (same as Kartel's debut Up 2 di Time) the best of which being Full Clip.



The similarities may end there between the two artists however, as Busy has a complete other more 'experimental' side. He has a tune here named Love Me Not which is about as vulnerable as you would ever want to see anyone on a tune (but the tune quickly grows on you I assure you!) which features Reanno Gordon (aka Busy Signal) as he goes Wayne Wonder and Red Rat by creating the alternative identity on the nice tune. My second favorite tune here is actually I Love Yuh which features the Angelic Alaine, on just a wonderful tune which could spin on US radio right now, I'm sure! The second half of the album actually goes in many different softer directions, he has another nice combination with Kris Kelly, since you been away, and an interlude which features him just calling his daughter. The album even ends with Pon di Pole, a PURE SOCA song!



While I made a point of drawing a few curious similarities between Kartel and Busy Signal (the seemingly wild headed Idonia has very little in common with the 'Sassin) rest assured this is no carbon act. Busy Signal's debut Step Out marks the arrival of a significant new talent in the dancehall. And while it will take you over mountains and pretty much everywhere else (including 3 videos) at the end, you just might be on the groundfloor of something really special if you pick this one up."