There are not many dancehall stars who can produce, sing and DJ with the same level of credibility. Demarco is above credible with a vast musical range which include his own diaspora hits like Fallen Soldiers, writing credits with Rihanna and producing Party Animal with Charly Black. However, artists release albums to carve a niche for themselves and enter the corridors of gentility.
With the confidence to name his album after his child, Demarco adds the pressure to create a legacy project.
Donning a too cool for school Kangol hat and white shades, the album cover’s sky backdrop doesn’t represent the party modes imprinted all throughout the project.
The first voice heard on Melody is that of Sean Paul on My Way. The hit maker’s echoing tones and lyrics backed by Demarco’s high pitch vocals grab attention early, a production strategy which may have come in handy if the album dipped later. The category is party fast and Demarco is going for the hit, as he boasts, “We nuh take Bomboclaat program”, with the spirit of Rick Ross and Frank Sinatra put together.
Over the years ,Demarco has made dancehall hits as a producer and singer. On this album, his genius is repeatable and two songs in, with a Konshens feature he is going for the juggernaut status. Mover takes Reggaeton home to dancehall. Obvious he has been somewhere else sonically and has come back to teach the home base genre that the road is smoother in Spanish overseas. “Nueve tu bam bam” he switches codes.
Four songs in, I want to slow down, I want a moment to digest what he is saying but things are moving fast. This album is for the movers and the shakers.
Ryda flows like a gospel song, the melody matches the beat phrase for phrase.
Making vacation music is a sure way to find a captive audience and Demarco finds the sweets spot on Any Man. “Take you to Jamaica, get wild on the sand” sounds like something Sean Kingston would say back in 2005, but the production is more gritty. He sprinkled Spice’s bass heavy staccato flow and 90s style toasting to give texture to a song that may have been an album filler.
In My Heart It lacked the soul a song from the heart needs. It’s the first skippable song on the line up and Stones Throw Away doesn’t make it sound too bad.
The album recovers thereafter with the Reggae infused “Love” which set the pace for the slower parts of the project. Hard to imagine this is his first album but Demarco took time to study the various segments of Reggae music for his grand debut. He goes for the California dub style on All Mine and does it better. There is nothing he can’t do.
Most people would put their Marley feature at the beginning or end of their album but the lead single “Dance My Stress Away” finds itself center stage. “As I proceed to the dance-floor, yes indeed, thank Jah for this day imma dance my stress away” Stephen Marley croons. I can see this song being played at weddings and special occasions years from now.
The Rhythm for Fallen is infectious and Travel Safe introduces Chronic Law to an older audience as Melody keeps an ear to the streets. Law spits an unforgiving street verse constant with his era.
Pay Homage is a gratitude journal to legends Beenie Man and Bounty Killer who narrate their contribution to the industry. The homage continued with Mama featuring Kymani Marley. The smooth vocals from both artists salute matriarchal relationships in dancehall. The song won’t compete for best mother’s day song, but it holds well for instagram videos.
Starting a dancehall album with Sean Paul and finishing with a reggae rock pop feature from Shaggy is a masterstroke. Shaggy knows how to make pop reggae and he offers Demarco his prestige on a Bombastic style beat. This is a radio record, with a SiriusXM demographic. In a year when good reggae albums were few and far in between, Demarco’s debut crowned him hit maker in chief. The stand out features are Stephen Marley, Sean Paul and Shaggy. At 4 stars, minus one or two songs, “Melody” would have been a classic.
