Making a Spectacle with Major Lazer

Major
Lazer,
Guns
Don't
Kill
People...
Lazers
Do, Mad
Decent,
Down-
town/Atlantic [***]

Imagine: just a couple of months ago you were in my testicle,
now you are screaming and crying and making a spectacle.
-- "Baby" (Prince Zimboo)

Following up on his fabulous Top Ranking collaboration
with Santigold, mixer, producer, disc jockey, and Mad De-
cent honcho Diplo (Yank Wes Pentz) unites with Switch
(Brit Dave Taylor) for a dancehall-oriented throwdown.

Santi returns to contribute
vocals to the ringing, buzzing,
spaghetti western-infused
opener "I'll Make Ya." Other
than her and Amanda Blank,
who appears on the X-rat-
ed "What U Like," one of the
weaker tracks, the remaining
17 vocalists are new to me.


Bearing such sprightly handles as Mr. Lex, Ms. Thing, Future Trouble, and Turbulence, they rap and toast over dub, dance beats, and some of the world's most inventive sound effects.

Click here for the "Hold the Line" video

Recorded at Jamaica's legendary Tuff Gong Studios, where Bob
Marley did his best work, the resulting 13-track record recalls everyone from Madness to UB40 to the Beastie Boys (see Mr. E-
vil and Mapei's cartoon cannibus tribute "Mary Jane"). I could
do without the Kanye-style autotune vocals on "Keep It Goin'
Louder," but otherwise recommend this instant party jam.

Endnote: For more information, please click here.
Images from Boysnoise Records and Last.fm.