Ace dancehall star Buju Banton has released a fourth title under his Gargamel Music label.
Dubbed Buju Banton Presents Jamrock Classics Volume 1, the album featuring various artistes joins the deejay-s recently released Too Bad, Excalibur Sound Volume 1 100 Watt and Excalibur Sound Volume 2 Smile on the label which credits Banton, born Mark Myrie, as executive producer.
The 10-track album opens with Banton on Cowboys, which urges gangsters to put down the guns and "act civilised and stop the foolishness".
"If is a tooth fe a tooth or an eye for an eye/ We a go en- up like three blind mice," Banton follows up on the track. The theme of crime continues on the next track that has reggae crooner George Nooks explaining the relationship between Police And Thieves. He comments too that there is somewhat of a reversal of roles where both parties "scare the nation with guns and ammunition".
There-s more crooning to be had with the velvety sound of Pinchers on Punk Me Out.
The respective banters of crime, violence and fear pause for Yami Bolo-s Jah-inspired End Of The Day and the characteristic falsetto of Ghost on Lonely Night. It-s a passionate expression of love and longing that sets the tone perfectly for the beautiful tremolos of Jah Cure, who is easy and charming on January Morning.
"I know you miss me/Baby hold on little longer/You never dis- me/For our love will grow stronger," sings Jah Cure on the track.
But perhaps the most poignant track on the album is Lust member Tony Curtis- solo take on Goodbye To Love. The track is a cool reggae ballad which features Curtis- bluesy vocals over synths with lots of rockstready appeal. The album reverts to its tough sound with Lutan Fyah-s Means To Survive and the second Banton track Curfew featuring New Kidz. The ultimate track features an artiste much missed on the dancehall scene, Terror Fabulous on Ready Rock.
The compilation seems to come at the right time when dancehall aficionados are hungry for the retro sound. And of course, no dance is ever complete without the ease and cool of great rocksteady-esque jam. And Jamrock Classics has a few of those and should be seen as a fair attempt at re-introducing that sound to younger dancehall fans.
Source: Jamaica Observer
