VARIOUS ARTISTS

Reggae Gold 2004

(p) 2004-jun-15

CD 1:

Tracklisting:

 
01 In Her Heart - Capleton  
02 Dude (Rmx) - Beenie Man ft Ms Thing & Shawwna  
03 Jiggy - Elephant Man  
04 Fire Time - Capleton  
05 Jook Gal (Rmx) - Elephant Man ft Twista, Youngbloodz & Kiprich  
06 Girls Gone Wild - Assassin  
07 Ay Ay Ay - Tony Touch ft Sean Paul  
08 Anything Goes - CNN, Wayne Wonder & Lexxus  
09 You Don't Know My Name (Reggae Mix) - Alicia Keys  
10 Can't Breathe - Tanya Stephens  
11 No Guns To Town - Natty King  
12 Earth A Run Red - Richie Spice  
13 Pride & Joy - Beres Hammond  
14 Girl - Baby Cham & Jimmy Cheeztrix  
15 Fire Fire - T.O.K.  
16 Got News For You - Tanto Metro & Devonte  
17 U've Got Me - Morgan Heritage  
18 Been So Long - Lady Saw  
19 Dat Sexy Body Español - Sasha ft Ivy Queen  
VP / ATLANTIC, VPAGCD 93302 2-CD
VP / ATLANTIC, ?? 2-LP

REVIEW IN ENGLISH:
SOURCE: ROOTS MUSIC Reggae & Dancehall
AUTHOR: Teacha Dan



This annual top seller for VP records is as always a good compilation of recent hits and some older tunes, hardcore dancehall and reggae tunes. Since the collaboration between VP and Atlantic, the Reggae Gold series which has been going strong since 1993, now for the second year has been expanded with some true cross-over successes. Where Reggae Gold 2003 treated us on the Busta Rhymes remix of 'Make It Clap' Reggae Gold 2004 spoils us with more remixes and collaboration productions.

The album includes cross-over music like the former bootleg Spin Dynasty reggae remix of pop star Alicia Keys' 'You Don't Know My Name', remixed over the rhythm of a Jack Ruby produced Gregory Isaacs tune 'New Lover'. There are also guest appearances by US rappers like Twista, Youngbloodz and Tony Touch. Over the past years dancehall, r&b and hip hop have grown more closely together than ever before.

What I fail to understand is why the compilers of the series again choose to include more tunes on one rhythm. When you can choose from of the best of VP and the best of Atlantic you are bound to find some omitted gems. This year we get two tunes on South Block's Chrome rhythm ('In Her Heart' and 'Jiggy') and two on Fire Links' Mad Instruments rhythm ('Fire Time' and 'Fire Fire'). Maybe it is only to help out the remixers of the second disc who can then record little version excursions, ... whatever. This year's remix on the second CD is done by Jamaica's champion soundsystem Black Kat, who did a very nice job with loads of fresh soundbytes and big-ups. Too bad it only takes twentyfour minutes.

Again with a very sexy lady on the cover (check out www.ethnicitymodels.com for details on former and future Reggae Gold models) to top it off it is no surprise that the Reggae Gold series sells over threehundred thousand copies with each issue in the United States alone. Do you already have yours?

(Teacha Dan)