Latest CD releases reviewed

BEENIE MAN

Back to Basics Virgin America
**

Another year, another homophobic reggae bad-boy making headlines. Beenie Man is this year's model, his track Damn irking gay rights activists and all right-thinking people with its nasty, inciteful message of hatred. While such outrage has done little to arrest Beenie Man's career, this album's preoccupation with other themes may be an indication of the bonehead's realisation that homophobia is not big or clever. Indeed, Beenie Man goes to considerable lengths to point out his attraction to the opposite sex, flirting with any girl who will give him the time of day and telling us about his prowess between the sheets. Tellingly, perhaps, there are few visiting producers onboard, Beenie Man using such local production boys as Patrick Roberts, Dave Kelly and Troyton Rami to rinse his tunes in authentic Jamaican flavours. www.beenieman.info - Jim Carroll