Search - Various Artists :: Riddim Driven: Dream Weaver

Another Lenky Production

Achis | Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM | 02/11/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While I have absolutely no problem with a producer as talented as Lenky releasing as many riddims that he feels like releasing, and as many albums as record companies are willing to push for him, you would think that the artists themselves would be willing to put forth their best possible effort when faced with the possibilty of recording on the hitmakers latest. Not is the case on the Dreamweaver as pure vets Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and Angel Doolas all fail to hit the mark on their efforts, Hot Like Fire, Blessed and Addicted respectively. Also failing here is Wayne Marshall on the generic Get It On Tonight, the notoriously average Bling Dawg on Propaganda, T.O.K. on the gimmicky F-I-R-E, younger Alliance crew member Jagwa on the worthless Man A Badman, and eternally struggling singer Chico on the slightly less than average Thick & Thin.
All that being said, there is some good material here. On an album like this, of course the riddim is the star attraction, and thus the producer is the main performer, and perform Lenky does. This riddim goes through so many changes on top of its foundation, that by time you get to the odd sounding instrumental (which Lenky always, beautifully, includes on his albums) you have nearly lost the base and it sounds completely new. The good performances here are by unkown Nicky B, on the hilarious The Way We Roll, Go Deh, Go Deh by hotshot veteran General Degree, surprisingly In God We Trust by Lenky's in house dj Zumjay, which I'm comfortable in saying is the best tune I've ever heard from him to date, which hopefully shows that the artist is developing. Also check the doctor on Greatest Species, Vybz Kartel on the weed anthem Visa, and the album's best tune Girls Alone by up and coming Assassin, high vibes on that one as the young artist absolutely locks up his flow.
Overall, the riddim itself is not quite on par with its predecessors The Diwali, the Masterpiece, and the Time Travel, but it is good, and at times features Lenky's signature handclaps, and the album makes it worthwhile enough to a true dancehall fan to have a listen. Newer fans, this one isn't for you.P.S. Check the war tune by Hawkeye Tek It Off, Put It On"