Search - Various Artists :: Planet Reggae

This compilation achieves a rare and judicious balance between party revelers and social commentators that presents a more accurate reflection of today's reggae dancehall than most similar efforts. Add to that competitive edge this cast of mic rockers drawn from dancehall's top rankings captured at their hit-making best. Beenie Man, Mr. Vegas, Roundhead, Degree, Goofy, Red Rat, Lady Saw, and Sean Paul--ladies' favorites all--flirt with dancehall's escapist possibilities alongside those warriors for whom music is strictly a means of exorcising human corruption: the fiery Anthony B, the spiritually militant Sizzla, and the self-styled "Prophet" Capleton, solo and performing "Zion Medley" with Jah Cure, Ras Shiloh, Morgan Heritage, Bushman, and a singer who sounds exactly like Luciano but is not credited in the liner notes. Newcomer Zebra has obviously staked out '80s dancehall star Tiger's style, reasoning no doubt that the latter won't be needing it since he was injured in a horrific motorcycle accident years ago. But Zebra doesn't get it quite right in his phlegmy rendition of "Right Type of Love." Degree and Buju Banton--the only man to follow Bob Marley's example and accommodate himself to a full panorama of human experience--are the generals here by virtue of their blissfully aggressive mic styles. Other sets attempting to reconcile dancehall's schizophrenia usually wind up in discord. While the philosophies and outlooks here do shift from track to track, the producers find enough unity in the booming instrumentals, all dancehall-ready, brawny and computer-engineered. --Elena Oumano