Review of HOTTER THAN FIRE VOLUME TWO

Of the many recent reggae compilations from Artists Only!, Hotter Than Fire Volume Two is the most appropriately titled. Rather than a selection of medicore dancehall selections, it's a decent selection of quality roots and dancehall tunes produced by Trevor James.

The album kicks off with the ever-positive Luciano's "Moving Out of Babylon." It's great modern roots in vintage Luciano style. This is followed by Morgan Heritage's "One Rastaman" (also available an earlier VP album) and Thriller U's "I Don't Have the Time" (both on the same riddim). Both tracks work well, as one would expect from these talented performers.

Mad Cobra offers up the disc's first dancehall tune on "Facts of Life." Though you won't see Tootie or Mrs. Garrett appearing, you can at least be assured it's not another rehash of the Flintstones theme by Cobra (remember when he released five tracks in the same year with this melody?). It's actually a solid, catchy performance by Mr. Flex. Cobra later contributes "Hell Swell."

Among the other solid roots and lovers tracks: Gregory Isaacs' "Love Degree," Frankie Paul's cover of Dennis Brown's "Promised Land," and Cornell Campbell's "Boxing." Other worthwhile dancehall tunes include Tiger's "Wine Girl Wine" and Determine's "Mad Fi Burn Up."

While not all of the 14 tracks hit the bullseye, Trevor James has produced a nice stack of winners here. Recommended.

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