Cham - Ghetto Story

Genre reggae Publisher Atlantic/Mad House Records External Links Official Cham Website Official Atlantic Records Website Official Madhouse Records Website

I gotta admit that, when I first began listening to Cham's Ghetto Story his vocal style conjured up thoughts of that Manwich commercial with the reggae-flavored jingle that goes "oh mama don't you make me another meatloaf...forget the mac n' cheese I want some fun piled on a bun I want a MANWICH please." But as the album progressed Cham's exciting delivery coupled with hot producer Dave Kelly's work combined to erase that annoying advert's silly jingle.

Cham lays it all out on the title track when he rips it raw first telling of his poor childhood in Kingston, Jamaica "I remember those days when Hell was my home / When, Mi & Mama bed was a big piece a foam / and Mi never like bathe & ma hair never comb" and later hitting with "Jamaica get screwed true greed & glutton / Politics manipulate & push youths button / But wi rich now, suh dem caa tell man nutt'n."

Other songs find Cham getting freaky, delivering smooth, sensual tracks like "Fat Punnany (Hottie Hottie Girl)" with Majic Massey, "Bad Boys" with a hot vocal by Tia Jean and Rihanna sparks "Boom Boom" right and proper. But the real standout is "Ghetto Story Chapter 2." The song features Alicia Keys, a singer I have never been much of a fan of, but here she is perfect, sounding note perfect and never straying into the histrionics she is known for on her material. Keys is better restrained here and could do well to perhaps recognize it for her next solo release. You can check out the video to the song here and the audio here.

Cham manages to make Ghetto Story an open invitation to those not entirely familiar with modern day reggae/dancehall. Credit goes to producer Kelly for his natural pop sensibilities, but Cham keeps things grounded and real and that combination makes for a potent listening experience.