Printed Thursday, May 6th, 2004

Article written by Lady Cham/Photos: Lady Cham
On May 1^st Sleepy Wonder invited West Indian Times, and a few close friends and family members to a listening session at his production studio ‘No Choice’ in Virginia.  We were privileged to be amongst the first to preview his upcoming album which ESL (the record label that Sleepy is signed to on this project) say is complete and has a tentative plans to release the album early fall 2004,

In listening to each track on Sleepy's upcoming album it is impossible to ignore the creativity and high level of production which was created in No Choice Studios.  The tracks are well put together, there were no producers flown in or hired, all tracks were mastered and executed by Sleepy.  There are no main stream artists featured so don't look to hear Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Bounty Killa or Elephant Man on any tracks.  The artists featured are all artists who drink a juice, sit on the stoop and vibe with Sleepy on a daily basis, all of these artists are extremely talented as proven in the tracks on the album.  Although known as a reggae artist, Sleepy Wonder shows his versatility on his upcoming album as it is a mixture of Reggae, R&B, Hip-Hop and Rap.

 The tracks can truthfully be described as full, catchy and creative, one in one song Sleepy states "16 years in the business cannot be replaced or erased" and he is right, he takes from the past and adds a new 21^st century twist!  A lovers track on the album performed by Danielle and featuring Sleepy Wonder and upcoming artist ‘99’ is an R&B Hip-Hop track with a reggae flavor and a tight wicked riddim.  There are club tracks which are Hip-Hop Reggae with straight up Ragga style DJ lyrics by Sleepy, they are nicely done and will cross over into mainstream USA. 

 Ras Attitude, an underrated yet extremely promising artist from out of St. Croix USVI  is also featured on the album performing a track that anyone who has ever lived in the ghetto, whether it be the ghettos of Jamaica, US, England, Africa, etc. you will be able to relate to.  It is a soul wrenching track that speaks about the hustle of the ghetto and the struggle to stay alive.  Also on the album are two previously released tracks: A remake of Sleepy Wonder's hit song DJ Business, a track which was created from a speech Sleepy made after being nominated DJ of the Year in 1988, it has been remixed in No Choice Studios by Sleepy and a Hip-Hop drum added to cross it over to general audiences.  Sleepy was also nominated DJ of the Year in 1989 and 1990.  The other previously release track is ‘Street Life’ which was a single released by No Choice Studio but licensed to VP Records 2 years ago. 

 The track that ESL has slated as the album single and will have a video along with it is a club joint that is mixed with a dancehall riddim, this one is sure to go down well with the Hip-Hop crowd and with a strong video I can easily see it making its way quickly onto the MTV and BET video charts!  Featured on the track with Sleepy Wonder is Blaq n' Deckah from DMP.  For the track chosen, let's just say, if you have a huge bumper, contact Sleepy to be the featured girl in this video!!   This album needs to be marketed as a club album

 The album has a slower track with DJ Sleepy featuring artist ‘Brandy Edwards’ and ‘99’ the riddim is very catchy and again shows Sleepy’s creativity.  Brandy is an artist to watch out for and is also on a club track.  For those who know Sleepy on a personal level, there is a track that has Sleepy stamped all over it!  Sleepy tells the world that he will never fall in love again or play himself.  It is a wicked track, very creative and one of Sleepy’s strongest beats.

 After 16 years in the music business, this album is one that will make many people sit up and take note of Sleepy Wonder, it has been 5 years since he released an album and as one of the tracks with Ras Attitude states ‘I shall be released’ and Sleepy is not kidding, he is releasing all of his energies into this project, the album is made up of artists who gave more than 110%. 

Sleepy ended the listening session by stating with conviction to West Indian Times: “The world shall feel Sleepy Wonder!  Now run tell dat!!”