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THE KINGS OF REGGAE - COMPILED BY DAVID RODIGAN AND STING INTERNATIONAL
The Abyssinians>Satt Massa Gana / Dennis Brown>To The Foundation / Aswad>Back To Africa / Burning Spear>Marcus Garvey / Marcia Griffiths>Dreamland / Richie Spice & Chuck Fender>Freedom / Gentleman feat. Barrington Levy & Daddy Rings>Caan Hold Us Down / Junior Murvin>Police & Thieves / Jimmy Cliff>The Harder They Come / John Holt>Police In Helicopter / Freddie McGregor>Big Shipz / The Congoes>Row Fisherman Row / John Holt>Love I Can Feel (80s Version) / Josey Wales>Mi Have Fi Get You / Dennis Brown / Caress Me Girl / Ranking Dread>Fattie z Boom / Little John>Work Us So Hard / Dennis Brown>Here I Come / Coco Tea>Informer / Sammy Dread>Rude Boy / Lone Ranger>M16 / Yellowman>Over Me / Tenor Saw>Roll Call / Toyan>Stylee
BBE/RAPSTER RECORDS
A double CD set attempting to bring together the history and roots of the Reggae scene; THE KINGS OF REGGAE is the eighth in this acclaimed compilation series and this time round sees David Rodigan and Sting International compiling a diverse and classy roster of artists here.
From the start, its clear that THE KINGS OF REGGAE isn't a record that's going to throw up many surprises or left turns; this is a collection that plays out like a who's who of Reggae classics rather than attempting to throw a host of obscure gems your way. David Rodigan is first up, with a selection that sees the likes of Burning Spear's MARCUS GARVEY and Jimmy Cliff's THE HARDER THEY COME providing the most instantly recognisable fare. The cool vibes of Aswad's BACK TO AFRICA is a song guaranteed to bring a smile to the face even in these coldest of winter months whilst Richie Spice & Chuck Fender's FREEDOM is a sun drenched slice of smoothness. The classic POLICE & THIEVES sounds as deliriously fantastic as ever and John Holt's POLICE IN HELICOPTER a definite highlight of the compilation. Closing up Rodigan's mix, ROW FISHERMAN ROW from The Congoes is an inspired mix of skanking guitar chords and falsetto melodies.
Taking over the reins, Sting International delivers more of the same with the likes of Ranking Dread's FATTIE Z BOOM and Coco Tea's INFORMER keeping things bouncing along nicely. Elsewhere, other highpoints include Lone Ranger's brilliant M16, John Holt's LOVE I CAN FEEL (8OS VERSION) and Sammy Dread's classic RUDE BOY.
THE KINGS OF REGGAE may throw up little in the way of surprises or left turns, but for all its predictability and obvious choices, this is a compilation that delivers a distinguished and classy collection of superb reggae tunes.
BIOGRAPHY
8th instalment in a compilation series that grows more ubiquitous with each release. For this volume, compilers David Rodigan and Sting International have dug deep to bring us some of the genres biggest reggae tracks and a host of obscure gems. From 70s pioneers Junior Murvin, Jimmy Cliff, John Holt and Desmond Dekker to modern day heroes Yellowman, Echo Minott and Barington Levy. David Rodigan has championed Reggae music since the early 70's and remains one of the worlds most popular and respected Reggae DJs. Sting International is the producer for the multi-platinum selling artist Shaggy.
DISCOGRAPHY
THE KINGS OF REGGAE (BBE/Rapster Records>2007)
The Abyssinians>Satt Massa Gana
Dennis Brown>To The Foundation
Aswad>Back To Africa
Burning Spear>Marcus Garvey
Marcia Griffiths>Dreamland
Richie Spice & Chuck Fender>Freedom
Gentleman feat. Barrington Levy & Daddy Rings>Caan Hold Us Down
Junior Murvin>Police & Thieves
Jimmy Cliff>The Harder They Come
John Holt>Police In Helicopter
Freddie McGregor>Big Shipz
The Congoes>Row Fisherman Row
John Holt>Love I Can Feel (80s Version)
Josey Wales>Mi Have Fi Get You
Dennis Brown / Caress Me Girl
Ranking Dread>Fattie z Boom
Little John>Work Us So Hard
Dennis Brown>Here I Come
Coco Tea>Informer
Sammy Dread>Rude Boy
Lone Ranger>M16
Yellowman>Over Me
Tenor Saw>Roll Call
Toyan>Stylee
LINKS
BBE>www.bbemusic.com
Review date: February 2007 |
