Sean Paul: The Trinity

Herald rating: * * * *

There's something kinda dorky about Sean Paul, the well-educated water polo athlete who turned the world on to the joys of dancehall with his second album, Dutty Rock, in 2002.

The Trinity is a continuation of his compelling fusion with hip-hop and reggae, and it mostly hits the mark. Tracks such as first single We Be Burnin' (a call to legalise the herb) and Ever Blazin' (a call for the ladies to join him) proves he still has the goods to get the party started. He has an Ali G swagger about him on I'll Take You There.

But it's not all booyakasha madness. Wayne Marshall joins him for the deep reggae track Yardie Bone and Paul reveals his conscious side on the calypso-style Never Gonna Be the Same about a murdered friend.

Rather than invite a star cast of hot-right-now producers, Paul keeps things in-house with Dutty Rock's Steven "Lensky" Marsden, and some tantalising vocals care of Jamaican reggae artist Tami Chynna, Looga Man and Kid Kurup. Trinity doesn't quite reach the inescapably hip-swivelling heights of its predecessor but Paul deserves credit for not pandering to the whims of radio with this satisfying effort.

Label: Atlantic