Not Necessary. . . But I'm Not Complaining!. . .
Achis | Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM | 02/20/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Call it shrewd business dealings by reggae giant label Greensleeves to virtually lock down the solo career to date of dancehall elite, `The Energy God' and Vybz Kartel or even take it a step further by calling it downright record label brilliance. The result is that should you pick up ANY of Elephant Man's four solo albums to date and run through the liner notes, you'll notice the phrase `Greensleeves Publishing' on each and every track. The label which is often criticized (although, albeit to a much lesser degree these days) for their mistreatment of artists who constantly seek to leave their tables, legally, deserve much respect for scoring some of the biggest feats in reggae publishing history! Besides owning publishing rights for such artists as Elephant Man and Kartel, they also own rights for every artist they have under contract (even the `mystery duo' Kid Kurrupt and Predator) as well as several big name producers such as Vendetta and Lenky (yes! They own publishing for the MASSIVE Diwali riddim which you know oh so very well).
The result of their grand achievement is that during 2007, their 30 year Anniversary (congrads GS, while I may criticize you, you have GREATLY improved) they get to have some fun and open the vault of their releases of three ridiculously jam packed Elephant Man albums, the first three of his career (the smallest of which, Log On, checks in at a whopping 22 tracks long!), and release his first `official' greatest hits album. And while no tracks appear from his most recent album and major debut, Good 2 Go, yes, Greensleeves owns right to those twenty tracks as well.
Elephant Man has probably been the signature artist of the most recent history of the label, having released three humongous and crazy selling albums for the label each year from 2000 through 2002. The albums, of course did well for Greensleeves, but also did a great job in exposing one of Jamaica's. . . most interesting talents to the international world. Starting with 2000's Comin' 4 You which saw young Ele, fresh removed from the Scare Dem Crew (and Scare Dem controversies) which was as about as straight hardcore dancehall do you will ever get out of Elephant Man; on to `01's big big Log On which BOOMED largely due to the high powered title track which you might STILL hear playing in dances all over the world; ending with 2002's INSANITY which was Higher Level at a point at which Ele had already become one of the dancehall's biggest draws and most controversial figures. These albums helped launch Elephant Man into his senior album, Good 2 Go his debut (and last album) for the mighty VP/Atlantic deal as well as launch him into his current situation, poised to become Badboy's first dancehall release later this year.
Old fans will remember these songs almost to a fault, they could even better call it `The Underground Years' or the `Metamorphosis'. Listening to some of these songs you see how 'Seaview Gardens Ghetto Yute' transformed into 'Dancehall Madman' in a very short period of time. Coming from the rough and tough (but still quite insane) Scare Dem Crew and changing into the the Scare Dem solo! Elephant has made himself more than SIGNIFICANT while adding virtually no seriousness to his vibes, and having more than his fair share of fun the entire time.
The first installment of Monsters of Dancehall gets started out on a wonderful and expected note. Dropping in on Jeremy Harding's marvelous Liquid riddim is the biggest hit of Ele's career to date, Log On. I've never been much of a fan for LISTENING to dance instruction tunes (its much more of a visual artform if you ask me) but standing alone as a song you have to confess, Log On is superior! Its just wonderful to listen to, more fun if you're dancing, but even just listening, Log On produces one massive vibes! Chasing Log On is one of my favorite Ele tunes the addictive Elephant Message over the highly-addictive Diwali riddim (to which Greensleeves owns publishing to) from Lenky. Lenky's album for the Diwali (which I still listen to) told you everything you needed to know about Elephant Message. Part of the reason why its so good is because its master made it so unique from its brothers and sisters and Ele's diwali is among the most fun in existence.
Not to make it seem all good, there is some not so good (i.e. bad) material here. Such is the case for On-line, the Log On's il-fated younger brother which flows on a dial-up modem and STILL hasn't gotten us to the internet. Also failing to hit the highpoints is The Robbing, Ele's answer to Lady Spice's tune about himself being victim of a robbery in their brief (and friendly) 'war'. Also not too fond of Xmas Dancehall Tall Up- Tall Up and its VERY annoying style! And Genie Dance is annoying and you know it!
All that being said, I crack a wry smile each and everytime I spin any of those tunes, even Ele's worse has some sort of redeeming quality to it.
Back to the good. One of my favorite Ele tunes appears later on in Monsters of Dancehall, No Hail Me over Vendetta's strong Mad Ants riddim (to which Greensleeves owns the publishing). Always loved No Hail Me from inception, and still it stands out to this day; Theonly real combination on the album, Bad Gal, Bad Man with Ce'cile over she and Scatta's fierce Double Jeopardy riddim (to which Greensleeves owns the publishing), always hearing a woman's voice on such an album is a nice changeup (especially one as fine as Ce'cile). Give Her it Good, dancehall disco, over Lenky's Masterpiece riddim (to which Greensleeves owns the publishing) which is addictive to an almost sickening degree!
I also LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE Jamaica, a darker vibes from the Log On album, which was one of the better tune son that album, as it is on this one as well. Things lighten up on the hilarious Truth Hurts over the Orgasm riddim which is the basic fun diss tune to many of his peers. Lastly, check the truly wicked Replacement Killer from Shocking Vibes! Replacement Killer was the big tune from the Comin' 4 You album and should you stay away from it for awhile and jut recently here it here, it works just like the first time you heard it. Big tune!
Overall, I say all this assuming the essential problem with the Energy God: Monsters of Dancehall album is basically known: With not even a decade passing since all of these tunes were voiced and popular, its ENTIRELY too soon to be dropping them in Greatest HIts fashion. Therefore, I can ONLY recommend the album to newer fans. If you happen to miss two or ALL of Elephant Man's albums prior to Good 2 Go (which if you've read this far through the review is fairly unlikely) then this is the album for you. Fans who have been picking up on everything, don't listen to your friend when they say 'There's a new Ele out!', at least not until the summer, because you already have this."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1
