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Everyone Falls in Love (Epic/550, 1999) Honestly, I didn't want to like this album. However, like the title cut, which managed to get significant airplay in the US (thus explaining the release on the Epic label), it just grew on me. There comes a time when you have to admit that, if you enjoy practically every track on an album, it must be a pretty good set. Invigorating, oh-so-catchy party jams like the title track make up the great majority of Everyone Falls in Love, particularly "She Gone," "For All Time," "Know Your Friends," and "Say Wooee," one of the best tunes here. Even their more crossover-oriented songs, like the R&B "Have You Ever Been in Love" and "Jam Party" (which features the music from McFadden & Whitehead's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"), are fun and inescapable. Perhaps the best song on the album, though is the lovers cut "Love You Forever," singer Devonte's vocals reminiscent of Wayne Wonder or one of the Golds (Brian or Tony, take your pick). Still, the vocals -- Devonte's and especially DJ Tanto Metro's -- aren't terribly distinct or stellar enough to make them stand out, something that may hurt them in the long run. However, if they continue to put out the type of frolicking, hook-based dancehall that fills Everyone Falls in Love, they'll stick around for a while. |
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The Beat Goes On (VP, 2001)
More of the same catchy, fun, energetic party music from Tanto Metro & Devonte, ensuring their position as the best DJ/singer duo in dancehall today...which isn't saying much, seeing as their primary competition is the faded Chaka Demus & Pliers. Still, they are undeniably likable and have a highly marketable sound -- in a similar vein as the crossover material from the more popular Beenie Man (who appears "One Girl - Not Me") and Shaggy, although Tanto Metro & Devonte thankfully don't seem to pander to the mainstream quite as much (that is, most of the music here remains faithful to the dancehall sub-genre). Some of the songs on The Beat Goes On may sound familiar: "Teaser" was featured on the stellar Planet Reggae 2000, and the digital "Give It to Her" is on the disappointing Reggae Gold 2002; meanwhile, "Dancehall Vibes (The Beat Goes On)" adeptly usurps the chorus from the Whispers' disco tune of the same name, and "Love Me Forever" less adeptly borrows from Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" on the frankly annoying "Love Me Forever." Nothing on The Beat Goes On is particularly spectacular -- the best being the offbeat "Double Jeopardy" and the electric "Ride" -- but it's mostly solid, although the duo almost sabotage themselves near the end of the album with the dated pseudo-jazz sound of "Story (Get It On)," the sappy R&B ballad "Sometimes," and the ambitious yet unsuccessful attempt at a dancehall/operatic/classical/social commentary hybrid, "Eye to Eye."
| Track Listing 1. Teaser 2. Give It to Her 3. Love Me Forever 4. Fling It Up (Gangster Gal) 5. Suzie 6. One Girl - Not Me featuring Beenie Man 7. Real Bad Man 8. Jackie 9. Dancehall Vibes (The Beat Goes On) 10. Double Jeopardy 11. Coolest Black Brother 12. Story (Get It On) 13. Ride 14. Tia Maria 15. Crazy 16. Eye to Eye 17. Sometimes |
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