Hot It Up

Album Review

Leading up to his 2007 release Hot It Up, dancehall singjay Mr. Vegas was on a serious roll, releasing one massive Jamaican hit after another in any flavor of contemporary reggae you'd like, save dub. Hot It Up is the big payoff, with an amazingly diverse set of big tunes that displays Vegas' versatility, beginning with the wistful and organic heartbreaker "Do You Know" and ending with the sparse and rousing "Taxi Fare," which brings welcome reminders of his breakthrough hit, "Heads High." In between these highlights is the gigantic JA club hit "Hot Wuk," which features an infectious chorus, quirky, R&B-influenced production touches, and a naughty word that rhymes with "wuk" and begins with "F." Following up this horny ode to dirty, dirty dancing is the empowering soul searcher "Tek Weh Yuh Self," and what would be an impossible transition for lesser artists sounds natural coming from Vegas. "Lean with It" features the singjay making good use of producers Sly & Robbie's dirty throwback beat and "You Gonna Need Me" is a nostalgic winner that finds Vegas and Jovi Rockwell delivering a duet as if Coxsone and Studio One were still all the rage. Add to it a stuffed track list that's filler-free and you've got every reason Vegas' name should be just as well-known as Elephant Man's and Beenie's.