CDReviews: Rupee - thisisrupee.com, Leave a Message, Blame It On De Music

Blame It On De Music - Rupee

The man who makes you wanna Jump is in top form with his debut CD Blame it on de Music. Guaranteed to please, this is an incredible, must-have CD! Twelve fabulous music tracks along with five excellent spoken-word interludes combine to make a remarkable CD.

Over the years Rupee has recorded a number of highly successful hits. Blame it on de Music includes several chart-topping classics along with hot new future classics. After a brief spoken-word Intro and the highly enjoyable Thanks, the CD shifts into high gear with the title track Blame it on de Music. An extraordinary tune, produced and arranged by the legendary Nicholas Brancker, Blame it on de Music is a sheer joy and delight. The high-energy, danceable
Blame it on de Music is Rupee at his very best.

Next up is Insomnia. Produced and arranged by Peter Coppin and Terry Arthur for Monstapiece Studios, Insomnia has a phenomenal rhythm that's sure to keep you dancing all night long. I love this one. The energy keeps flowing with Cake. With great lyrics, a very danceable beat and marvelous horn section Cake is one of the more outstanding tracks on the CD.

By this time your dancing feet will need rest. And a short rest you'll get with the second interlude. Next is I Will be There, Wipe Dem Away and another spoken-word interlude that serves as a lead-in to Rupee's signature tune, the sensational Jump. I can't say enough about this one. You've got to love it.

After another brief interlude, Rupee takes us back in time with the classic Ice Cream. Recorded with the band Coalishun, Ice Cream is a magnificent tune. It also marked the start of Rupee's trek to stardom. The back-in-time vibe continues to flow with Tundah.

Next, Rupee teams up with soca diva Alison Hinds on Be With You, followed by the hip-hop flavored Hipnosis (featuring Iron Tongue). An exceptional tune with a catchy hook line and an especially good dance rhythm, Hipnosis is one of my favorites. The final interlude & closing track
Always Be There is a wonderful tribute to Rupee's mother. A fitting way to close a CD that he has dedicated to both his mother and father.

Blame it on de Music is simply spectacular!

Track Listing:

1. Intro

2. Thanks

3. Blame in on de Music

4. Insomnia

5. Cake

6. Words too

7. I Will be There

8. Wipe Dem Away

9. Words three

Be sure to visit Rupee's Official Website: www.thisisrupee.com

"Leave A Message" - Rupee

WARNING: This CD is highly addictive. Listen once and you'll be hooked!

If I had to describe Rupee's much-anticipated second CD with a single word, it would be masterpiece! The phenomenal talent of Bajan superstar Rupee shines brilliantly on his follow up to
Blame it on de Music. "Leave A Message" takes us on a musical odyssey with hits that run the lyrical gambit from party tunes (Till Mornin'), to the emotionally gripping (No More). There's truly something for everyone on this must-have CD.

"Leave A Message" is a 14-track CD that includes 10 electrifying music tracks along with 4 endearing musical interludes. The first music track is the energetic Till Mornin', an exhilarating tune with a hot up-tempo rhythm. Till Mornin' borrows part of its melody from The Tide Is High, a reggae song originally done by the Paragons and popularized again in 1981 by rock group Blondie. Similarly, This is Festival borrows part of its melody from the Rolling Stones' 1966 hit Paint it Black. Each melody is recreated with a uniquely Caribbean flair in songs that vividly paint a picture of the festival fever that annually overtakes the land.

Including Like It Or Not!, a musical interlude featuring callers to a radio station, was a stroke of genius. It's the perfect segue to Frenemy, one of the most incredible musical gems the genre has to offer. Frenemy, a song about backstabbing friends, is without a doubt my favorite track. Outstanding, sensational, fabulous, A WICKED TUNE!!! I just can't say enough about this one.
Frenemy has a sizzling hot dance rhythm, dramatic and powerful lyrics, and an irresistible melody that compels you to sing along. Rupee's lyrical artistry together with skillful production by Chris Allman and excellent background vocals that perfectly complement Rupee's voice all combine to make a song of exceptional quality.

Tempted 2 Touch has a masterfully crafted musical arrangement and soulful flavor giving it tremendous crossover appeal. That's Where I'll Be is a bouncy tune with a great chorus that plays in your head long after the song has ended. Girlfriend is a fun and playful song that's sure to bring a smile to your face. She's A Winner has a slower tempo and more serious theme that the ladies are sure to appreciate. No More, an emotionally charged song about a relationship gone awry is one of Rupee's best efforts. No More is simply magnificent.

All songs were written by the lyrical master himself R. Clarke (Rupee), and every song is a hit. Production and arrangement credits go to Chris Allman, Darren Grant and Nicholas Brancker.

"Leave A Message" is an extraordinary CD of unparalleled caliber that belongs in the collection of every music lover.

Track Listing:

1. (Rupee wake up!) 8. (mad tune!)

2. Till Mornin' 9. This is Festival

3. Tempted 2 Touch 10. Rugged Style

4. (like it or not!) 11. Girlfriend

5. Frenemy 12. She's a Winner

6. (where are you?) 13. No More

7. That's Where I'll Be 14. Frenemix

Overall Rating: 5/6

thisisrupee.com -Rupee

Rupee is back and as strong as ever with his third release thisisrupee.com. The 15-track CD is a complete package loaded with terrific melodies, outstanding vocals, and ingenious lyrics that pull you in and wrap themselves around you. Thisisrupee.com will blow you away! Creativity is the driving force behind this must-have CD. The most unique and creative track is You Never Know, a song dedicated to Scottie, Andre Tanker, and all the "fallen soldiers." Profound, thought-provoking, high-quality lyrics along with top-notch production and clear crisp vocals combine to make an instant classic. The sobering message of You Never Know is one that we should all take to heart. This one will make you stop to count your blessing and be glad just to be alive. You Never Know is an extremely well-written song that Rupee should be proud to have penned. Rupee's growth as talented songwriter, though evident throughout the CD, is most apparent on You Never Know. What a fantastic song!

Another especially dynamic track is Victory. Positive, powerful and motivational words of wisdom, Victory is the perfect follow-up to Frenemy, from the Leave a Message CD. Victory grabs your attention with the very first line and doesn't let go. Fabulous sound too. Play this one as an inspirational mantra to energize yourself to face the challenges of the day. Don't leave home without listening to it!

If I Can't Have You is an intensely romantic love song with lyrics that exude passion. Rupee's vocals are impeccable; he's never sounded better. There's a pre-chorus hook line so catchy you won't be able to resist the urge to sing along. And the smooth melody is sheer perfection. I especially love the guitar work of Antonio Scott. If you like love songs, you'll love If I Can't Have You. Then there's the upbeat Helpless. Like a shot of adrenaline, the hot, up-tempo dance rhythm of Helpless is guaranteed to get you moving and leave you breathless. The background singers do an exceptional job, production is flawless and we have more great lyrics penned by Rupee. This one's definitely a winner.

The topic of Festival Again may be a familiar one, but the interplay between lead and background vocals along with an outstanding musical track makes it all seem fresh and new. What's not to love? Other tracks you're sure to enjoy are Skin II Skin and the "jump and wave" tune Uh Oh!

Thisisrupee.com also recycles the big hit tune Tempted to Touch. There're also collaborations with Destra and Red Rat on the tracks If You Only Knew and Enjoy Yourself. One thing I especially like about this CD, in addition to all the incredible music, is the fact that the lyrics are printed. We hardly need them since Rupee's vocals are so clear and understandable, but it's still good to have them. All lyrics were written by Rupee. Top Caribbean producers Chris Allman and Darron Grant have done an extraordinary job in putting together another top-notch soca CD. Be good to yourself and get a copy of thisisrupee.com today. You'll be glad you did.

Track Listing:

1. thisisrupee.com 9. Enjoy Yourself (feat. Red Rat)

2. You Never Know 10. Helpless

3. Festival Again 11. Hold Me Tight

4. Uh Oh! 12. Tempted to Touch

5. Skin II Skin 13. thisisrupee.com

6. Victory 14. D.T.D.T. (Bonus)

7. If I Can't 15. Skin II Skin (Bonus) (Drew's Mix)

8. If You Only Knew (feat. Destra)

Overall Rating: 5