Elephant Man
Let's Get Physical (Bad Boy/VP)
ESSENTIAL "How We Roll"
Dancehall artists have tried to crossover to the mainstream with mixed success, and now Elephant Man makes the attempt with his sophomore record. "Let's Get Physical" has executive producer Diddy's Bad Boy fingerprints all over it, with its savvy mix of Elephant Man's frenetic stylings and hip-hop, infused with more guest appearances than a DVD anthology of "The Love Boat." Dancehall purists might have a tough time swallowing some of the compromises, including "Body Talk," a gimmicky update of Olivia Newton-John's "Let's Get Physical." Few will honestly love it. At times, Elephant Man takes a backseat and lets MCs like a blistering Busta Rhymes or Shaggy drive (the exuberant "How We Roll") or he seems to be in service of ringing hook singers like Rihanna (expert party anthem "Throw You Hands in the Air"). The record gets off to a great staccato start with "Drop Dead" and "Dem Not Ready," both pressurized grooves the MC destroys on. He noticeably slows down his flow on a number of tracks, but a lot of the tricky cadences dazzle. Bad Boy has set the charts on fire recently, but it's doubtful this will spread beyond the clubs. [Ken Capobianco]
Elephant Man plays at Club Lido in Revere on May 30.
