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| It's All About You (RuffNation Music, 2005) As LL Cool J once said, don't call it a comeback. Kulcha Don has been on the music scene for a decade, having been signed to Ruffhouse/Columbia back in 1997 (although he was swept under the rug in favor of labelmates The Fugees) and working with the likes of Shaggy, Mad Lion, Patra, and Spragga Benz. He's released only one album since then, 2001's Blood ina Me Eyes, but is now poised to make a come -- er, resurgence with It's All About You. This is an unabashed party album, full of thumping beats and catchy hooks. Since his early, more hardcore days, KD has moved consciously into a more commercial sound akin to Shaggy or Beenie Man, the latter of whom not coincidentally guests on the infectious single "Drive You Crazy." Other similar waist-winding jams round out the album, most notably hip-hop-inclined tracks "Wait Till Tonight" and "Say So," plus buoyant dancehall tunes "Show Your Tattoo," "Sex in the City," and "Stomma." Originally hailing from Montserrat but now based in New York, KD's taste in music runs through a range of influences, from the primary digital dancehall sound to hip-hop, reggaeton (basically dancehall + hip-hop, plus a Latin twist), R&B, electonica, pop, and on the somewhat discordant "I Wonder," even a bit of doo-wop. It's an accessible sound that may not fully satisfy diehard dancehall devotees, but fans of recent work by the likes of Shaggy, Beenie Man, and Kevin Lyttle should eat it up. What It's All About You lacks in originality, it makes up for in energy and professionalism. It has the high-quality production and musicianship of a major label, and KD's veteran vocals are consistently on point. It remains to be seen whether this album will be the vehicle to take Kulcha Don to the next level, but Shaggy, Beenie Man, and Sean Paul may need to watch their backs; there's a not-so new sheriff in town looking to become the next crossover dancehall superstar. Find out more at respectmanagement.com. |
| Track Listing 1. Drive You Crazy featuring Beenie Man 2. Papi Duro featuring Andy Boy & Jeny 3. Wait Till Tonight 4. Show Your Tattoo featuring Andrea Hachett 5. Interlude 6. Nuff Gal 7. Say So featuring El Feco 8. I Wonder 9. Drive You Crazy [Remix] featuring Beenie Man 10. Kurt's Message 11. Tonight 12. Sex in the City 13. Stomma 14. Get Wit It 15. Papi Duro [Club Mix] featuring Andy Boy & Jeny |
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