NOTE: We have discontinued the posting of FULL album download links. From now on we’ll give a general review and post a few songs from that album to go along with it.
Sean Paul is back after three years with his new album Imperial Blaze. This is Sean Paul’s fourth album in a decade and is also coming off the success of The Trinity.
Originally to be released in the summer of 2007 under the title of The Next Thing, Imperial Blaze held out for another year before gracing the public. When interviewed at the start of this project Sean Paul said he wanted to focus less on the fun uptempo songs that made him well-known and focus more on the youth violence in Jamaica.
Well either he or his label changed their minds because the presence of those hot Dancehall tracks are scattered all over this release with the mid-tempos in between. It most certainly reflects the album’s title which means “King’s Fire”.
After giving the album’s 20 tracks (60 tracks were recorded during the studio sessions) a listen we were brought back to the side of optimism. If any of you remember us posting the few tracks that leaked from this album will know we thought that his pure Dancehall sound was being watered down to a pop pulp. Whilst this may not be Stage One or Dutty Rock it still holds its own as a solid effort. Also, many who are into the Dancehall music scene will be familiar with a handful of these songs as they were released on riddim compilations along with some songs like “Pepperpot” which have been lying around Youtube for a year or more.
Imperial Blaze will definitely not be classified as Sean Paul’s best but there’s enough content and quality to hold us for at least two years, if longer. Be sure to pick this album up when it hits stores next Tuesday August 18, 2009.
“Lace It” wastes no time when pumping up the tempo. It almost seems like the song was cut short but it isn’t. The beat is crazy on this one.
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Lace It
“Pepperpot” has been playing non-stop in our iTunes since it leaked last year. The synth guitar intro and bass along with Sean’s Jamaican flow makes this a winner.
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Pepperpot
“Bruk Out” is what you expect in the lyrics; girls (gals) getting wild and doing what they do in the club. On the instrumental side it builds up to a funky back-and-forth bassline.
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Bruk Out
