All sound bytes are in Real Audio :: Check the pics from LOG ON's launch at Asylum

Artist: Elephant Man
Album: Log On
Label: Greensleeves Records
Released: November 16th, 2001
Ratings:
see rating system below

Love him or hate him one cannot deny that Elephant Man has made his mark on 2001.
The title track and name of his latest album, "Log On" (with a dance to match!) has become one of the most oft repeated phrases in the Jamaican vernacular recently. Produced by Jeremy Harding, this track is one of the most promising ones on his 22- track sophomore cd. If you are able to resist the urge to just nod your head (if nothing else) to this rhythm I would say you have serious self control!

Another track on the album, The brilliant Baby G and Teetimus produced, "Show Down", featuring Kymani Marley would have been more effective had the collaboration been done with an artist that complemented Elephant's style especially on a "riddim" of such high quality.
Note from Mic : This is the baddest tune Elly ever do. Ever. Straight!!! Baby G & Teetimus - OONU LARGE! Capiche!

Spragga Benz is also featured on the album in "Warrior Cause", a tune biggin' up "every warrior from di present to di past"- now this is a collabo that works! (tough!) Why wasn't this thought of sooner? Ricky Rudy, Buju Banton, Cecile, Ward 21 and rising star Wayne Marshall also grace the album.

Special mention has to be made of "Earth Angel" featuring the velvet-voiced Lukie D, while this is not an original hook, what a man can sing!!!! This song is an anomaly on an album filled with songs celebrating male bravado and 'bad man-ism', one wonders if this could be a revelation of a kinder gentler Elephant Man.

Alas... these thoughts are dispelled by "X- Rated". On a track featuring vintage Buju Banton (in rare pre-"Til Shiloh" form), who can argue with Elephant man saying "I believe hot sex keep di love life hot"?

Unfortunately, absent from Log On are any members of Scare Dem Crew. Evidently Elephant has managed to make a name for himself since parting ways with his former crew years ago. The circumstances of why this alliance crumbled is still unclear and to this day has always remained a question on the minds of the former group's fans.

Notorious for being unashamedly candid, truthful, and funny in the same breath (with past songs like "Nah Behave Demself", "Di Truth a Go Hurt Dem") Elephant hasn't strayed from his usual modus operandi on Log On. On "Haters Wanna War", "Anything -a- Anything" (note from Mic: how wicked is Suku?) and particularly, "New Application" the man holds no punches.

The aptly placed "The Bombing" is wicked! (note from Mic : wicked.)

"Nuh trus wrap head coolie inna silk nor satin (Hahahaha)...
Every body fraid fi fly tru di bombing
No weed nah smuggle again true di bombing,
cyaan go thru customs wid a pen tru di bombing...
Deejay a cry famine tru di bombing"...*

* No doubt a reference to the lack of tour dates because of the disaster that was September 11.One question though: What the hell does "shankle ma nankle" mean?

In in these times where dancehall music has only few mainstays, in order to be held in high regard, an artist has to refrain from relying on hip hop and R&B hooks to be the back drop for their style and delivery. This is where Log On falls short as Elephant Man is evidently strongly influenced by this genre, a reality which robs some tracks of their authenticity.

It is not that Elephant is unable to produce original material, because it is those original songs which keeps this album afloat and makes it worth the listen. But tell that to a man whose position in dancehall was solidified from biting a Biggie verse in the Scare Dem medley. Remember "who the fuck is dis paging me in di morning, crack a dawning - I'm yawnin... WAH!" - that could done ANY dance! Listeners loved (and still do) Elephant Man's merging of the hard core hip hop and dancehall. Can it be a case of it ain't broke don't fix it? You be the judge.

PEACE!!!

RATING SYSTEM
TOUGH! TOP A TOP
Up deh
Shows extreme potential
Can listen
WACK