Beenie Man Art And Life CD

ART & LIFE is the major-label debut from Beenie Man, long a staple of the dancehall scene. Though die-hard fans had feared that the move to a more mainstream label might result in a softening of Beenie Man's sound, ART & LIFE stays true to the powerful sound-system lyrical style that made Beenie Man an underground success. By calling upon frequently sampled beats like Naughty By Nature's "O.P.P." ("Love Me Now") and the Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There" ("I Got a Date"), Beenie Man is able to produce a sound that is at once hard-edged and nostalgic. These 14 tracks range from the Waterhouse, Jamaica-styled title track to the Rio De Janeiro-feel of "Tumble." Guest spots from Mya, Ernie Ranglin, and Wyclef Jean add more strength and familiarity to this exciting mix.

ART & LIFE is the major-label debut from Beenie Man, long a staple of the dancehall scene. Though die-hard fans had feared that the move to a more mainstream label might result in a softening of Beenie Man's sound, ART & LIFE stays true to the powerful sound-system lyrical style that made Beenie Man an underground success. By calling upon frequently sampled beats like Naughty By Nature's "O.P.P." ("Love Me Now") and the Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There" ("I Got a Date"), Beenie Man is able to produce a sound that is

ART & LIFE won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

Engineers include: Tommy Uzzo, Gary "Mon" Noble, Barry O' Hare.

Personnel: Brian & Tony Gold (vocals, background vocals); Arturo Sandoval (trumpet); Robert Lyn, Paul "Wrong Move" Crossdale (keyboards); Sly Dunbar, Melbourne Miller (drum programming).

Audio Mixers: Kunley McCarthy; Andrew Thomas ; Stephen Stanley; Luis Diaz; Richard Travali; Serban Ghenea; Tommy Uzzo; Tony Kelly.

Audio Remixer: Rockwilder.

Recording information: Electric Lady Studios, NYC, NY, Unites States; Grove Music Studio, Jamaica; Hit Factory, NYC, NY, Unites States; Idea Lounge, Kingston, Jamaica; Master Sound, VA; Penthouse Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica; Playpen Recording Studios, NYC, NY, Unites States; Right Track Studio, NYC, NY, Unites States; Shocking Vibes, Kingston, Jamaica; Soundtrack, NYC, NY, Unites States; Studio 200, Kingston, Jamaica; The Boxx, Kingston, Jamaica; The Crib Recording Studio, NYC, NY, Unites States.

Personnel includes: Beenie Man, Wyclef Jean, Steve Perry, Mya, Kelis, Tanto Metro, Devonte, Redman (vocals); Dave Kelly, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Ricky "Madman" Myrie, Salaam Remi, Steely, Clevie, Tony "C.D." Kelly, Eddison Electric (various instruments); Paul Titus Green, Ernie Ranglin (guitar); Arturo Sandoval (trumpet); Steven "Lenky" Marsden (keyboards, bass); Paul "Wrongmove" Crossdale, Robbie Lyn (keyboards); Donald "Bassie" Dennis (bass); Desmond "Dessie" Jones (drums); Melbourne "George" Miller, Sly Dunbar (programming); Sherida Sharpe, Danny Brown, Connie Campbell, Althea Lane, Dave Gold, Khalil (background vocals); A. Gray, D. Dennis, R. Evans, I. James.

Producers include: Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Lloyd "King Jammy" James, The Shocking Vibes Team, Dave Kelly.

Rolling Stone (8/17/00, p.113) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...He's still thinking beyond the basic dancehall rhythms and textures....a breezy but severely eclectic record..."
Rolling Stone (8/17/00, p.113) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...He's still thinking beyond the basic dancehall rhythms and textures....a breezy but severely eclectic record..."
Spin (8/00, pp.145-7) - 7 out of 10 - "...A dancehall D'Angelo....[The Album] whips like his astounding live revue through ragga and roots, hip-hop and R&B, soca and gospel....compensating with toothy charm and Sammy Davis versatility..."
Spin (8/00, pp.145-7) - 7 out of 10 - "...A dancehall D'Angelo....[The Album] whips like his astounding live revue through ragga and roots, hip-hop and R&B, soca and gospel....compensating with toothy charm and Sammy Davis versatility..."
CMJ (7/10/00, p.3) - "...Over a dancehall foundation, the rapid-fire toaster and singer has woven a gorgeous tapestry of reggae harmonies, Latin rhythms, classical music, and period-piece pop....His collaborations produces some sparkling results..."
CMJ (7/10/00, p.3) - "...Over a dancehall foundation, the rapid-fire toaster and singer has woven a gorgeous tapestry of reggae harmonies, Latin rhythms, classical music, and period-piece pop....His collaborations produces some sparkling results..."
Vibe (6/00, p.220) - "...Has something for every head, Yankee or yardie: bulldozing rhyme-spitting over dancehall beats, explosive deejaying...over hip hop tracks, and even salsa....it's an attempt to win dancehall's long struggle for a share of urban America's airwaves..."
Vibe (6/00, p.220) - "...Has something for every head, Yankee or yardie: bulldozing rhyme-spitting over dancehall beats, explosive deejaying...over hip hop tracks, and even salsa....it's an attempt to win dancehall's long struggle for a share of urban America's airwaves..."
The Source (6/00, p.228) - "...Dancehall in substance....his reputation remains intact because he challenges his creativity on his own terms and without sacrificing his dancehall roots."
The Source (6/00, p.228) - "...Dancehall in substance....his reputation remains intact because he challenges his creativity on his own terms and without sacrificing his dancehall roots."
Mojo (Publisher) (8/02, p.78) - Included in Mojo's 50 Greatest Reggae Albums.
Mojo (Publisher) (8/02, p.78) - Included in Mojo's 50 Greatest Reggae Albums.
NME (Magazine) (7/22/00, p.30) - 7 out of 10 - "...The watershed in his prolific career....diasporic dancehall reggae, spruced up and polished around the edges..."
NME (Magazine) (7/22/00, p.30) - 7 out of 10 - "...The watershed in his prolific career....diasporic dancehall reggae, spruced up and polished around the edges..."