99 Ways

AMG Review of 99 Ways

Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
All Music Guide

On 99 Ways, the first lady of dancehall continues to pump out the X-rated tunes that have kept her at the top of the dancehall scene since her debut in 1992. Saw's no holds-barred delivery provides a good accompaniment to the album's throbbing rhythms but it's the tunes that stray from her trademark style that make this an enjoyable album. The duet with Pancho Kryztal on "Ride of Your Life" shines with R&B flavor, her rough DJing on "Picture on the Wall" is complemented by Sanchez's sweet vocals and her bluesy crooning of the Crystal Gayle classic, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," is warm and surprisingly pleasant. The rest of the album tracks offer plenty of Saw's scorching "slack" lyrics, but it's the hidden a capella version of the title track that fully displays her powerful charisma.