Review of REGGAE GOLD 2001

As much as I talk about Strictly the Best being VP's biggest accomplishment with a couple dozen entries in the series, there's no doubt that Reggae Gold kicks off each summer and is anxiously awaited by reggae fans of all types. This year's Reggae Gold continues the series' tradition.

With 18 tracks covering roots, lovers, and (mostly) dancehall, Reggae Gold 2001 has a little something for everyone. The disc starts off with "Ain't it Good to Know" with crooner Beres Hammond and DJ Buju Banton. It's a solid opening cut and leads well into Cecile's "Changes." While "Changes" has an annoying hook and almost too simplistic production, I dig the lyrics and the various references to other singers and DJs in the reggae industry.

Lady Saw and Marsha present the answer track to Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me." It would have been nice if VP secured the rights to Shaggy's single and presented it alongside Lady Saw's "Son of a Bitch." As foul of a mouth as Ms. Saw has, there's no doubt that she's talented, and this answer track reminds me of a more laid back version of the Roxanne feuds in the mid-80s.

Beenie Man and Mya team up for the entertaining mainstream R&B remix of "Girls Dem Sugar," silky-voiced Sanchez contributes "Pretty Girl" for some modern lovers' flavor. Mikey Spice joins Shabba Ranks for "Kushungpeng," which turns out to be a better combination than you would think on paper.

Modern consciousness is represented by Morgan Heritage's mellow "Take Up Your Cross," Sizzla's powerful (musically and spiritually) "Taking Over," Junior Kelly's "Boom Draw" (this one'll stick in your head big time) and "Peace Cry," which features a line-up including Junior Kelly, Morgan Heritage, and George Nooks (who also closes the album out very nicely with "God is Standing By").

Some tracks that I could have done without: TOK's "Chi-Chi Man" (what's up with using "Do You Hear What I Hear?" as the basis for a hook?) and "Shake Your Bam Bam" and Lexxus' and Zavia's "Spy."

There is a bonus mix CD included, but it's an absolute waste. As with many reggae mixtapes, it suffers from a DJ who likes to talk way too much and a poor mix in general (the tracks are buried in the background while the DJ's voice comes through entirely too loud). Fortunately, there is no extra cost for this disc, but I doubt many people will choose it over the straight-ahead compilation disc when it comes time to pop a CD in the car.

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