Magnificent - Beenie Man (M & M Top Secret)

In recent years, Jamaican recording artists have found their way to UK studios in ever increasing numbers. Generally speaking however, these have been the roots and revival vocalist fraternity, notably Luciano, Beres Hammond, Bushman and Al Campbell, among others. Now it's the turn of the Jamaican DJ, with Beenie Man's Magnificent out on London's M & M Top Secret label, Bounty Killer's Bad Man Bible currently out on the UK Masterlock label, and Sizzla, Shabba and Cutty Ranks all recording in London during the autumn.

On the appropriately titled Skafun rhythm, Magnificent is a light, bright summer record, all the more welcome for being released well into a grey, rainy English autumn. This is reggae crossover as it should be, bright, catchy and tuneful but with the hard rhythm-driven edge of genuine roots music. Magnificent is just as ska-inflected as the 'Skafun' rhythm suggests with a loping ska beat to the fore and crisp horns punching across it. Its ska/early reggae credentials are further enhanced by the label credit for keyboards legend Ansel Collins, of UK crossover hit Double Barrel fame, as part of the instrumental and production team.

Further marking out Magnificent from the rest of the current pack is its strong soul inflection, including a funky organ workout, surely Ansel Collins himself, and an early Seventies fuzzy wah-wah guitar solo. The gospel-inflected Staples Singers style female chorus also suggests a hot slice of soul from way back in the heyday of the Stax era. The Skafun rhythm is given a fully developed instrumental workout on the flip side in which guitar, organ and horns are all given their full place in the sun. How often do you hear that these days?

Beenie Man's own contribution is less flamboyant and consciously tricky with words than his fans have grown to expect. Indeed, his voice works here almost as another instrument, singing along with horns and female back up vocals in a devilishly irresistible chorus. Beenie Man's trademark has always been his ability to reinvent himself in unexpected ways. This release shows he has not lost that touch.

As the name of the rhythm suggests, this really is a fun record. Once the punchy horn lick and the bright, infectious rhythm hooks itself into your brain, you're doomed to have it in your head for days. All credit to South London's M & M Top Secret team for a fine production.