Buju Banton, Too Bad (Gargamel Music / Tommy Boy Distribution)

Controversial dancehall artist Buju Banton hits the record racks hard with his brand new fall album, Too Bad. The notorious dancehall reggae D.J. has more or less returned to his old style. In the process he gives hardcore dancehall and Buju fans plenty of the music responsible for his meteoric rise to international acclaim. Reminiscent of his secular days, Bad Boy takes music lovers back to the early 90s when he tore up the nation with such hits like ‘Batty Rider,’ ‘Browning,’ ‘Love Black Woman,’ and the now famous anti-homosexual anthem, ‘Boom Bye Bye,’ which continues to haunt his every move to date.

‘Me &Onnu’ is an in your face track, addressing his run-in with the international gay community and his determination to fight these adversities, like the maroon tribe of which he is a direct descendant. Laid to live instruments with an infectious ska beat, this single is all Buju. Except for ‘Don and Dupes,’ where the Gargamel (Buju) teams up with 80s dancehall crooner Pinchers, the title track, ‘Too Bad,’ and the entire album is Buju Banton – raw, unadulterated, and totally dancehall.

Corinne Bailey Rae, Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol)

Corrine Bailey Rae is the latest Brit to invade the States with her self-titled debut album. Enjoying heavy rotation, ‘Like a Star,’ the first track on the album, is already a huge hit. Music fans will find a whole lot more soul on the eleven tracks CD.

While her voice and guitar is enough on its own, it is the full package including musical arrangement that simply sucks one in to Bailey Rae. Especially worthy of mention is track three, ‘Put Your Records On,’ a bubblegum number which retains the soulfulness of the singer.

Corinne Bailey Rae (the album) is a sure winner, while Corrine Bailey Rae (the singer) is the beautiful Brit who exudes a style reminiscent of Sade, Erykah Badu, Macy Gray and even Billie Holiday. She is simply alluring.

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