"Back To Basics" is an album made for Beenie’s hardcore fans, i.e. those who love authentic dancehall grooves. Like it says on the tin, the project sees the Jamaican pop star and dancehall pioneer taking a step back to his musical roots. It’s quite a big step too when you consider that his last two LPs on Virgin – "Tropical Storm" and "Art and Life" – exploited his dancehall sound to its utmost pop potential.
The high-profile collaborators that appeared on his previous two outings (everyone from The Neptunes to Kelis, Wyclef to Janet Jackson) have vanished. With the exception of Timbaland, there are no big names on the LP, just a stream of local and lesser known talent like Cheeztrix, Ms. Thing, Kirk Davis, Ghost and Kymberli.
That you don’t need a super-stellar guest to make a hit track has been proved by the first release, "Dude" (feat. Ms. Thing), which offers up some comedic raunchy business that only an experienced veteran like Beenie could pull off. This tune opens the album and sets the pace for what’s to follow. A flurry of digitally abrasive beats are supplied by Beenie as well as his Kingston comrades Dave Kelly, Tony Kelly, Don Corleon and - on one track - Timbaland.
"King Of The Dancehall" (the second, current, single), "Doctor Mi Rate Yu" and "Love All Girls" illustrate Beenie’s innate diversity and skill with a mic. Tracks like these come thick and fast until the end of the album when things begin to slowly grind to a halt.
"D-O or G-O" blends soul with a Caribbean edge. "If A Neva God" brings through some gospel influences, and end track "Back Against The Wall" is an acoustic reggae cut that provides a satisfyingly calm denouement after the rush of digital riddims.
With a distinct lack of pretension, some wholly infectious hooks and an insouciant sense of humour, this is the kind of project that will ultimately serve to keep Beenie’s rep as a professional entertainer and maestro of the dance deeply intact.
