Beenie Man’s way with music is ‘the Jamaican way’

Beenie Man is comfortable with modern pop. The reggae singer’s newest album, “Tropical Storm,” recruits Janet Jackson, the Neptunes, Lil’ Kim and others. But at the House of Blues on Sunday, he was all about the dancehall.

“I’m not a rapper. I’m a chanter,” he told the crowd. “I do this the Jamaican way.”

For his 90-minute performance, Beenie Man was charismatic, bawdy and festive, stepping out in a military dress jacket and white captain’s hat, looking both ridiculous and devoted to a good time. And he moved easily from high-energy dancehall vocals to pop crooning, as his Jamaican five-piece band made sounds hard-edged and richly tropical.

He found a blend of energetic reggae and pop with “Party Hard” and the current hit, “Feel It Boy.” Just as often, Beenie Man told stories as the band jammed behind him.

He recounted in detail a romantic interlude that began at his front door, complete with a demonstration, thrusting his hips (and a jewel-encrusted belt-buckle). “Watch and learn,” he said.

In a short opening set, rappers Smilez & Southstar aimed for the same good times. Though recorded beats and effects made their backing music perfunctory and anonymous, as rappers they were full of fire, stepping up to the edge of the stage in their Lakers shirts, tough and playful in their quest for the same vibe as party master Beenie Man.