However, this is certainly a promising debut. ‘K.O’.  “She knocked me out clean, the prettiest girl I’ve even seen”, will enter your head and plant a flag there indicating occupied territory much like the indelible-marker-like lyrics of David’s ‘Seven Days’ did. Near-blanket radio airplay is already ensured.

McLeod, for reasons which still elude me, earned his Smujji nickname after stealing a friend’s girl at a youth club. He has invited comparisons with other male vocalists. There’s Usher who he’s been supporting on his British tour and also Sean Paul, which is such a lame link. True, they were both born in Jamaica but people who lionize the over-rated Paul seem to confuse ubiquity with quality.

Marrying Jamaican dancehall to British pop, ‘K.O’ is sultry without being schmalzy. This is a love song. One that will knock you out.

(4/5)

Release Date: 19 July 2004