Musically the 2009 highlight for me was having a U.K artist reach number one in the motherland of Urban music; the U.S.A. So as I sit back and embark on an evening of lending my ear to newly released albums, one I was most excited to hear was Jay Sean's ‘All Or Nothing'. Despite his number one track being called ‘Down', since signing to Cash Money Records Jay Sean's career has been up, up and up! With mind blowing collaborations, and quite simply the ability to woo the strong urban/ pop following in America , Jay Sean has done the U.K proud without having to transform himself or ditch his London boy style. In fact he brings to Cash Money Records a touch of Britishness, which stays intact in the midst of Lil Wayne's crunked out Hip Hop beats and slurred rapping – that we all find irresistible of course!
 ‘All Or Nothing' brings us a combination of feel good pop tracks, slow jams and urban beats, with a strong British influence. The British input of the album was extremely pleasing, now I don't just mean this because of his endorsement of London 's Movida nightclub on his hit single ‘Ride It' which he has also chosen to put on the album, but rather the evident contributions of British artists who feature on the album. ‘Far Away' which features ex Sugababe Keisha Buchanan is a particular favourite of mine. The balanced duet musically voices the thoughts of a relationship in which the guy and girl are drifting apart from one another. Lyrically emotional, the track voices the characteristics of both sexes in a troubled relationship, with both Jay and Keisha's vocals complimenting each other.
Taking it back to 2003, when the Jay Sean, Rishi Rich and Juggy D trio hit the mainstream bhangra phase, Jay Sean was tipped as a Craig David wannabee...now six years on he proves his original, imitable sound by recording a track with the man himself. ‘Stuck In The Middle' which features Jared Cotter on the U.S edition, has Craig David on the U.K edition, in an incomparable version, where the similarities of the style of their vocals are made evident but yet at the same time the difference is distinguishable. The U.K edition aims to keep his British fans satisfied as it also pays homage to the U.K grime scene on the remix of ‘Stay' which features the likes of Chipmunk, Skepta, Frisco and Jammer...
Single numero two to drop off the album is ‘Do You Remember' which features dancehall king Sean Paul and Lil Jon, a track that rekindles a variety of genres and combines them to create the ideal feel good club anthem.
Overall ‘All Or Nothing' is the perfect testament of an artist who over past seven years has evolved with time and created a space for his music in a global market, to be appreciated by all. Jay Sean won his golden ticket to the Cash Money music factory, and has proved he is worthy of the position. Cash Money Records is no doubt just as lucky to have such a highly talented artist that brings to the label something fresh and certainly helps to rake in the dollars. So whether or not he will magically transform into a macho, Americanized artist one thing is for certain ‘All Or Nothing' has done the U.K proud and kept Jay in the U.S limelight without losing his British fans.
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