Big up rude boy. An explosion of reggae music has once again hit America with artists like Beenie Man and Bounty Killa hitting the charts, and another bomb has been dropped with Dutty Rock. As opposed to the politically conscience and message motivated music of earlier crossover reggae artists Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, Sean Paul conveys a shallower but overwhelmingly popular message for all ladies to get on the floor and shake it.

In that context, the record does its job with tracks that invoke an array of ass movements from a slow grind to 1000 r.p.m. (rear-thrusts per minute). Unfortunately, the LP has a hard time living up to its lead single, "Gimme the Light," but to Sean Paul's credit that song is a certified club banger, and has remained at the top of the charts for weeks now.

The struggle of keeping pace with the lead single seems to rest mostly on the shoulders of the producers. As Sean Paul's music does not rely heavily on depth of lyrical content, it is purely his voice tone and delivery over the beats that make the songs on this album.

This is probably one of the reasons why Sean shines more on collaborations with Rahzel, Busta Rhymes and Tony Touch as they help to carry the lyrical weight. Overall, if you like to dance, and you want a change from the generic and similar sounding dance groove of American pop artists, Dutty Rock is an excellent change of pace.

The grungy and sometimes downright dirty beats of Dutty are sure to get much respect from selectors at clubs everywhere. Add to the beats the shallow in content, but A+ style and delivery from Sean Paul's mouth, and a party in Ann Arbor is liable to feel like a dancehall in the heart of Kingston. I can smell the smoke already.