Customer Reviews

Sleepy Dog

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album gave a great mixture of reggae. The rhythmn by itself took me to another level. I loved the songs done by Assassin and Mr. G. Thumbs up for Steelie and Cleevie...This album is a must have for any reggae fanatic. A definite must have.

Ever since I've begin purchasing version albums (or riddim albums)I've noticed something. When they're good, you'll get a fantastic combination of great riddim and great lyricists at their highest level. Some of the best version albums, (Drop Leaf, 5th Element and Diwali)will have that combination and be thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end.

When you don't have that combo, what you end up with is something like what happens here with the Sleepy Dog. Veteran dj Spragga Benz proclaims "Old School!" at the beginning of his effort, School which describes the Sleepy Dog perfectly. The riddim itself is beautiful older sounding dancehall piece by legendary Steely and Clevie.

Its a shame that TOK, Jahmel, Mr Vegas, Bling Dawg, Big Toddler and Elephant Man (twice) all fall to hit the mark on the Sleepy Dog. Elephant comes off as (something I never felt he would be described as) mechanical on his Nice and Sweet and Girls Anthem, both of which sound like they jumped right off Ele's tune assembly line and as if though we heard them before. Same thing goes for T.O.K. who might've faired better had they took one or two of their group to attack the Sleepy Dog.

Throw in Buju's very mediocre Ride This as well as Kiprich's Mix Up on a similar level and you're not left with much goodness. Surprisingly, Famous Face, who I never heard of, places good on Mixing Board which becomes quite clever after awhile. The highlights of SD truly however (besides the riddim itself) is Red Square. Spragga's School is quite impressive, however Assassin's As a Man is downright MASSIVE! The young artist flows in and out speeding and pulling back and impressing all the way through and makes listeners want that Infiltration debut to come sooner.

Overall, I think this one might have gone better had Steely and Clevie went after some older and more established artists. Mad Cobra, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and maybe even Frisco Kid or Degree might have made this more impressive. As it is, its nearly worth the price of admission for the Assassin tune alone, but besides Spragga and fresh new face, there isn't much beyond that.