Let's Get Physical

The manically charismatic and unflaggingly energetic Elephant Man possesses a booming voice reminiscent of legendary dancehall contenders like Toyan and Yellowman, and a way with a sing-song refrain that recalls the easy crossover appeal of Supercat. Let’s Get Physical, Elephant Man’s effortlessly appealing debut on P. Diddy’s legendary Bad Boy label, is clearly designed to court the crossover success that has so far eluded him. And if Elephant Man sounds somewhat uncomfortable on guest studded crossover vehicles like “This is the Way We Roll” and “Five-O,” the rest of Let’s Get Physical finds him running roughshod over a set of pummeling, uncompromisingly raw dancehall rhythms that remain refreshingly untainted by American influences. The belligerent “Drop Dead” roars out of the speakers like a fusillade of cannon-fire while Elephant Man’s lightspeed delivery on “Back That Thing On Me’ is nothing short of awe inspiring. Though Let’s Get Physical is marred by a few lazy concessions to the American market, it remains a fine slice of energetic contemporary dancehall.