Wow... The Story

Wow... The Story serves as an introduction to one of Jamaica's dancehall champions, Baby Cham. The album is a double CD; the first consists of his previous hits while disc two features new material. In disc one, Baby Cham stakes his claim as a major force in dancehall, following in the footsteps of artists such as Buju Banton and Bounty Killer. Included are his biggest hits, "The Mass" and "Funny Man," as well as choice cuts such as "Ghetto Pledge" and "Can I get A." After checking out the first disc, it's easy to see how Cham's manic energy and precision on the mic have made him a star in Jamaica. In disc two, Baby Cham goes beyond the traditional scope of dancehall, creating a style that is as influenced by modern hip-hop as it is by traditional dancehall. At times, he scores successes such as "High Roller," where Cham jams with Brooklyn-born dancehall artist Shaggy. Too often, however, his efforts feel like forced attempts to crossover to a North American audience. Somewhere in between the two discs lies some great work. If you're willing to look past all the extra filler, Baby Cham's double CD makes for one great album.