Sean Paul: The Trinity : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

In 2002, Sean Paul became an international reggae superstar with Dutty Rock, which paired his charming singsong flow with the freshest of the fresh dancehall beats -- particularly Steven "Lenky" Marsden's Diwali riddim, which fueled the blazing hit "Get Busy." For the follow-up, Lenky again provides one of the album's hottest beats on the bouncy "Ever Blazing." The first single, "We Be Burnin' (Recognize It)" -- a string-and-guitar-sampling party jam (on which Paul gives props to Hennessy, girls from various nations and, especially, ganja) -- is already blowing up on urban radio. And a guest spot from Queens, New York, duo Nina Sky (on "Connection") nods to the rise of dancehall's Spanish-speaking cousin reggaeton. But while Trinity is consistently engaging, it never quite achieves Dutty's immediate, overwhelming pop appeal. Sean Paul still knows how to get a party started -- he just won't be setting the world on fire.