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Review of "Smoke the Herb: The Second Pound"

© Ryan A. MacMichael

There's a new reggae compilation with the theme of, get this: weed! Apparently Big Blunts vols. 1-3 and Smoke the Herb weren't enough. :)

In all fairness, though, VP's new cannibiscentric Smoke the Herb: The Second Pound is actually a good compilation, as was the first entry in the series. There are healthy doses of classic roots tracks, current roots artists, and dancehall, making for a well-rounded collection.

Representing classic tunes, we have Jacob Miller's excellent "Tired Fi Lick Weed Inna Bush" (which also appears on his new double-disc VP release) and Sugar Minott's "Herbsman Hustling." Any true reggae fan will know these tracks by heart. The album closes out with one of the best herb-praises tracks of old: Linval Thompson's "Marijuana" ("The white man loves to smoke marijuana, / the black man love to cultivate it.").

The current first family of reggae, Morgan Heritage, is represented twice. First with "Wisdom Weed" and second with the outstanding "License." Red Rose's "Good Sensimelia" is another laid-back, smoked-out, catchy tune from recent years.

Among the better dancehall tracks are Buju Banton's "Legalize It," Sizzla's "Healing of the Nation" and "Good Load of Herb," and Anthony B's "Low Di Herb." Among the less worthy: Roundhead's boring "Weed is Life" and Buccaneer's "Ganja Man."

The first Smoke the Herb was a slight bit better, but The Second Pound is also quite a good soundtrack to your late nights in the smokiest of rooms.

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