Album Review: "Wanted" by Steve Mascheattie
Released in 2002 under the Hot Tracks label, Wanted is a reggae-dancehall gem hailing straight from Jamaica. This album doesn’t just ride the rhythm—it owns it. With production handled by N. Roberts and Q. Smith, who also arranged the tracks, Wanted feels like a carefully crafted love letter to dancehall culture. Mastered by Lynch and mixed by Donald (Tixie) Dixon, the sound quality punches through with clarity while still retaining that raw, gritty vibe that makes dancehall so infectious.
The title track, “Wanted,” kicks things off with an undeniable swagger. It’s one of those songs where the bassline grabs you first—deep, pulsating, and unapologetic—and then Steve Mascheattie’s vocals slide in smooth as butter. The lyrics aren’t groundbreaking poetry, but they don’t need to be; this is music for moving, for losing yourself on the dancefloor or in your headphones late at night. What sticks with me about “Wanted” isn’t just its beat—it’s how effortlessly it pulls you into its world. You feel wanted, too, like the song itself chose you to vibe with it.
Then there’s “Spotlight Rhythm.” Man, this track hits different. If “Wanted” is all about confidence, “Spotlight Rhythm” is pure energy. The rhythm lives up to its name, shining bright and demanding attention. There’s something hypnotic about the way the drums lock in with the synths, creating a groove that refuses to let go. Every time I hear it, I’m reminded of sweaty clubs and open-air sound systems blasting tunes under the stars. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s perfecting what already works.
What strikes me most about Wanted is how cohesive yet dynamic it feels. Dancehall can sometimes lean heavy on formula, but here, every track brings its own flavor without straying too far from the album’s core vibe. Credit goes to the tight-knit team behind the scenes—Roberts and Smith clearly knew what they were doing, and Tixie Dixon’s mix gives everything a professional sheen without sanding down the edges.
Looking back, Wanted might not have been the biggest commercial hit, but it’s aged like fine rum—rich, warm, and full of character. Listening to it now feels like stepping into a time capsule, except instead of nostalgia, you’re hit with timeless beats that still slap. Honestly, if I had to pick one random takeaway, it’d be this: whoever thought mastering dancehall was easy clearly never heard Wanted. And maybe that’s why it still matters today.
