Back to Basics

Beenie Man | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B0002CX1AW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,796 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning From One's Mistakes. . ., July 13, 2004

By 

Achis (Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back to Basics (Audio CD)

So its not that I have a particular problem with crossover dancehall albums, its just that. . . well, they generally end up being way more crossover than dancehall. The bottomline is that the same problems that exist in crossing dancehall over to a bigger (i.e. US) audience will always exist. The language will never be understood, the artists will never be as identifiable, their skill never as appreciated (in the US) as in Jamaica.

That being said, with Sean Paul, Elephant Man, and Wayne Wonder taking a greater place in the US music scene since the Doctor's last effort, its only right and proper that the real big man come back to reclaim what's rightfully his. Back to Basics is pretty straight forward, jumbled sounding dancehall album, and despite what's been going on lately (both in US and in Jamaica) there isn't a living artist who does those better than Beenie Man. The best tune here is arguably the 'first' single Dude (actually the second single from Def Jamaica), also love the real first single King of the Dancehall, really pretty much typical Beenie Man fare on that one, very familiar sounding. Also, old school real dancehall heads take a listen to the basic chorus on the curiously titled Grindacologist, strictly from an old Yellowman tune (Soldier Takeover). Love Get on Bad (no relation to the soca kaiso tune of the same name), Doctor Mi Rate Yu with protege Ms Thing, D-O or G-O, with odd machine computer sounding vocalist Ghost. The only 'crossover' attempt is the Timbaland produced All Girls Party which ends up amounted to the noted hip-hop producer's best attempt at making a riddim. The album ends on a very high note with Back Against the Wall, backed by a acoustic guitar riddim on which Beenie strictly tells a story, very cool, very meaningful way to end a great project.
Overall, this is leaps and bounds over Tropical Storm, while that album had its spots (mainly centering around Miss L.A.P. and Bossman). Its the greatest dancehall artist ever digging in his bag of tricks and pulling out a show stopper. Its the Trendsetter album new and improved; and in a summer where there are so many huge reggae projects out and about (i.e. Baby Cham and Assassin's big label debuts, Da Real Followup album and of course the return of the Empress) Back to Basics is everything it should've been and slightly more.
WARNING: BADMAN LYRICS PON DESE TUNES

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beenie's gal and bwoy fans should already have this album., October 11, 2006

By 

Jenny J.J.I. "A New Yorker" (That Lives in Carolinas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Back to Basics (Audio CD)

I love me some reggae! Beenie is a reggae genius to all those who can't say anything nice about synthetic reggae or the man shouldn't say nothing at all. This is one of his best albums that I really enjoy. When it comes time for me to move away from radio music or anything mainstream I go international or should I say overseas.

Even though he goes deep with "Back Against the Wall," he still nails the naughty numbers like he was born to strut. "Doctor Mi Rate Yu" and "Grindacologist" is one of my favorites due to its catchy and irresistible chorus. The Timbaland-produced "All Girls Party" has some frisky beat and gives Beenie plenty of lyrical inspiration that fits rather nicely. "Dr. Know" with Jimmy Cheezetrix has an old and new vibe reggae that's on point as well as "If A never God", which is also a good song. R. Kelly is the only other singer who can actually pull off "Take off your Underwear," and get away with it but I couldn't help but to like this song.

Beenie also does a excellent job with "King of the Dancehall" an anthem that he puts out convincingly, and when he mimics Yellowman's faux Chinese on "Love All Girls," it's an admirable nod to an obvious influence. It's good to see Beenie moving away from just odes to booty with these little lyrical touches. I will also add "Get on Bad," and "Set Away," as standout tracks from this album.

`Back to Basics' is a keeper because you can't go wrong with the King of Dancehall.Even if you don't understand him lyrically the rhythm of this album will make up for it. Highly recommend to all reggae lovers and to those who are interested in this flavor.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the cd no scratches perfect cd!!!, December 21, 2011

By 

Ty - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Back to Basics (Audio CD)

No regrets buying this cd from buyer No scratches plays very well it's always on in the car in my changer will place another order in the future.