Kim Nain’s - Deal Wid It review

By Lloyd Laing
Let me be the first writer to say this plainly.
Kim Nain is caught in a very unique quagmire that will serve her well in the future. She’s not from the grottos of the Dancehall ecosystem, she’s well educated, well spoken, and exudes a sense of class not easily found among her counterparts.

And with all above said, so was Sean Paul and Shaggy.
With that point made, we weave into an album that has been anticipated ever since she fell on the local radio radar close to seven years ago. Unsurprising (given her upbringing), was the fact that she decided to give up her musical momentum to study law.
During her sojourn, she kept fans fed with nibbles of music, just enough to stave off the hunger, but not enough to make us satisfied.

A fact she seems to taunt in her subliminal first track “Hold On Me”.
Take note, there is nothing Dancehall about the track, but it is a solid serving of the expansiveness of the Jamaican musical soundscape if one is willing to explore the edges.
The tracks soundscape gives credence to all the genres that have been spawned from Reggae’s vast genealogy, yet in its smokey musical potpourri, the track exudes a subtleness sexiness that makes me willing to listen again, and again.

The track “Marijuana”, is an ode’ to the old school sound base of the ’80s. A nicely bounced weed anthem that’s sure to find its way into early juggling sets worldwide.
The title track, “Deal Wid It” Featuring Destiny Sparta, flips the script and shows the risque side to Kim’s soundscape exploration.

For those who don’t know, Destiny Sparta is one of underground dancehall’s brightest lights, and one to keep a close eye on.
The collaboration is unusual, but like cheese in a chicken patty, it works. Kim dives into the Reggae ecosystem once more and returns with another refreshing musical dish, spiced with the saucy flavored flow Destiny has made her call sign.

“Roll Up”, though featuring Agent Sasco, is probably the weakest spot on the album. Sasco does a good job of delivery, he never fails to be honest. The soundscape is attractive, but the single lacks the umami delivered in previous offerings.
However, “Need Me” ft. Naomi Cowan, pulls the album back on apex. Smokey, and smooth, it is ecliptic of Kim Nain’s signature sound and finds its way as one of my favorite bouncers on the album.

“Need Your Love” is impressionable but doesn’t bring the weight required to emphasize a debut album’s delivery.
Honestly, I get worried when Kim downsteps her tempo. In my opinion, it is not her strongest point of trajectory, but she seems to love the vibes it feeds her soul.
“Baby” is one of those singles. To be frank, it reminds me more of Cecile than Kim, and that’s a problem if you’re trying to define your product in an already crowded marketplace.
“Driveaway” resonants similarly.

At this point of the album, she seems to take a breath and returns with “Walkaway”.
A groove that’s reminiscent of the soundscape that captured her early audience, however, the single is way too long and more suited as the album’s finale.
“Love You My Way”, could have been relegated to a catalog single and released as a filler during the course of 2019.
“Tempted” featuring Devin De Dakta, is an addictive track that will make a mad carnival banger in the hands of the right Soca DJ. Well suited for close dancing in tight spaces..its a certified hit with the right tweak.
All in all Kim Nain’s debut album exhibits her tenacity to explore and experiment, a commendable salutation that showcases her possibilities, and keenly serves up the fact that her star potential is unquestionable.