CD Review

"Ragga Hop"

Triniti

[Beverly Martel Music]

Review by Marlon Regis

Trinidadian/London-raised Triniti, a hot-looking, trendy-dressed fashion deejay/singer once seemed to be the focus of many prospective major label deals. But now independently released, she’s no doubt fallen prey to the scrutiny of dancehall’s harsh, territorial pessimism on softer-sounding vocalists, not to mention that her non-Jamaican, lighter-skinned beautiful looks won’t help. But if you can get past all that ‘stuff’ and focus on the music, you'll be pleased.

For one, the productions – a combination of producers from Troyton Rami (Black Shadow), Steven ‘Lenky’ Marsden, Qmillion, The System and Wizardz of Oz – are on a level comparable to some of the best dancehall productions to break stateside within the last few years. As for her critics, she seemed already prepared with the perfect song on “Na Go Hold Us Back” where she sings and twists her sexy deejaying style to lure haters into her web, or fling them away.

Even though “Fa Da Love of Dancehall” and “Triniti Sound” packs the powerful electro-fusion of programmed riddims to damage subwoofers silly, it’s her pop-like, R&B chorus-hooks and tones that have already made her ‘Itunes Artist of the Week’ worldwide during November 2004's downloads. Her strength is with meshing a bit of faster-paced Soca on “Big Ups,” slowing it down into pure modern soul on “I Remember” and even gracing a global pop track on “Every Day” featuring Trevor Felix.

Triniti has much more to offer than Ragga vibes if she chooses. Whether it’s on her UK-stained nostalgic “Virtual Reality,” or the remake of Culture Club’s “Do you Really Want to Hurt Me” or the perfect-fitting “Uptown Top Rankin” featuring E-Dee, Triniti's versatility is seen all over this album. The climax is a Lovers Rock jewel hard to avoid repeating--on “How We Gonna Know,” her sensitive, sexy and softer touch of cute dancehall is satisfying a new generation of sophisticated listeners.

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