Any Minute Now

Any Minute Now

This set's title could just as easily refer to Machel Montano's previous imminent crossover from soca ghetto to the glitzier ghetto of international pop stardom. Montano's soca-dance smash hit single "Come Dig It" and the video were all over American charts, dance floors, and the tube when he signed to stateside dance-rap indie label Delicious Vinyl. But Montano failed to come up with another soca-to-pop mixed-breed tune, so this lively mega-talent remains confined to the soca--and reggae--arena. Still, it's a huge territory, and Montano has crafted his own Caribbean crossover--an ultrakickin' amalgam of soca and reggae dancehall style that makes use of the former's irresistible bounce and the latter's martial drum-machine beats, combinations (a.k.a. singer plus rapper duos), and "fast chat" rap style. Montano and Xtatik's intent to fuse soca and reggae is announced at the outset with lead track "Outa Space (UFOs)," which also features reggae's dancehall king, Beenie Man (who scored a soca hit in Trinidad and Tobago during carnival '98). "Big Phat Fish," Montano's dominator during that same carnival, is here, as is another soca-dancehall combination with reggae "don" Red Rat. Jamaica's late, great prime minister Michael Manley and T&T's late PM, Eric Williams, were lifelong advocates of economic cooperation among the Caribbean nations. Looks like music's finally leading the way. <i>--Elena Oumano</i>