Reggae Gold 1997

VP Records' Strictly the Best and Reggae Gold series have long been the benchmarks by which all other Dancehall compilations are judged. With only themselves as real competition, Chris Chin and his VP crew should be applauded for sustaining the brilliance exhibited in Reggae Gold 1997.

"If Jah," Tony Rebel's biggest hit since 19-oh-long, kicks off an album that is equal parts culture, romance, sex, singing, DJing and rhythm. Just like the Dancehall. The smash Beenie Man/Lady Saw track, "Healing," makes it's umpteenth appearance on a VP album, but it's still arguably the wickedest duet of the year. If your Dancehall preference leans toward the cultural side, however, 1997's other brilliant duet "Put Down the Weapon," is also present, in all its uncompromising glory. Capleton's prolific songwriting may have slowed since signing his Def Jam contract, but one listen tells you that the fire is still there.

Joining "If Jah" and "Weapon" in the vein of righteous music is Everton Blender's smash "Ghetto People Song" and "Call on the Father," Beres Hammond's best conscious effort since "Putting Up a Resistance." All four 'culture' tunes were well chosen, but VP should have found a place on their compilation for the standard bearers of roots-Dancehall in 1997 -- Sizzla and Anthony B.

Representing the lovers is Benjy Myaz, whose lush cover of "Don't Ask My Neighbor" is the sort of syrupy sweet snuggle-up music that we're used to from Sanchez. Buju Banton's ghetto serenade, "Love Sponge," shows again why Gargamel can convey pure, unfettered emotion better than any other DJ in the business.

It may sound strange to call a remixed rhythm one of the most original beats of the year, but "Mission Impossible" is just that. The Taxi Gang managed to improve on the movie soundtrack and make a Dancehall rhythm complex enough that no DJ has been able to ride it convincingly. It still sounds better as an instrumental.

Beenie Man's "Romie" is another one of those songs that just sounds good. The combination of The Doctor and a classic rhythm first employed by Lovindeer adds up to sheer fun. Never mind that the verses don't make any sense. "Romie" is the most enjoyable song of the year.

Dave Kelly's Joyride and Haunted rhythms are represented by Tanya Stevens, Frisco Kid and Bounty Killer. Bounty's production has fallen off in recent months, but the Killer is still Dancehall's most complex lyricist, and "Worthless Bwoy" is ample evidence of this.

Up-and-coming artist Goofy joins the list on one hit wonders named after cartoon characters (Remember Snagga Puss?). Bounty's Scare Dem Crew branch out on their own with "Pure Gal," a by-the-numbers tale of sexual conquest that will be forgotten in a year and Hip-Hop DJ Funkmaster Flex rounds out the compilation with an update of "Girls Dem Sugar" for American radio audiences.

THE VERDICT: What can we say? Reggae Gold 1997 meets the standards we have come to expect from the series. Most of the major Dancehall stars are represented at some of their finest moments. Subtract Scare Dem and the Hip-Hop, add Sizzla and/or Anthony B, and you have a five-star album.