Buccaneer, The Innocent Crew, Beenie Man, Lady Saw, Shaggy, Mr. Vegas, Degree, Sean Paul, Tanya Stevens, Various Artists - Strictly the Best, Vol. 21

Volume 21 of this best-selling series draws from reggae's late-'90s arsenal, each selection a certified "haul up and come again" call for listeners to get off the sofa and shake something. Buccaneer, whose patwah opera antics livelied up '98, leads off with "Bruck Out," featuring cannonball drum shots and storming six-string rock & roll action, courtesy of American group Rancid. He's followed by the Innocent Crew, the best of dancehall's tsunami wave of singer-deejay collectives, sweating that quartet dynamic here in "Impossible Mission." With "Oh Yeah," Lady Saw, reggae's favorite "outta order gal," strikes the perfect compromise between her singing and deejaying personas. Together with dancehall singer Tanya Stephens's latest wake-up call to the boyz, "Freaky Type," this set's female presence is not just an exception to the rule. Vegas, the "singjay" hero of the year, contributes two from his unbroken chain of number ones that's run the dancehall since he appeared just over a year ago. Beenie, who's de rigeur for any reggae hits collection, represents with "Gospel Time" and "Tell Me (The Remix)", featuring New York City radio personality Angie Martinez--a clear signal of stateside hip-hop's official approval. Other reggae compilation must-haves: Sizzla, Degree, and Sean Paul weigh in with their pieces of gold, and on the roots-and-culture tip, Tony Rebel and Culture--indefatigable reggae preachers--remind listeners that there's more to life than a rub-a-dub dance in a corner. --Elena Oumano Amazon.com

Gets Better Every Time

At first, I thought it was kinda whack. Then, the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. Although it only has about 6 different beats, the tracks really came together and went with the riddim mon. If you're looking for a cd that has a whole bunch of tight beats, don't get this one. But if you want something to jam to, then get it. Peace. August 19, 1999

kind of old but one of the best

June 8, 99 this CD is really so go and buy it even thought it's from November June 9, 1999

this a bad cd

you need to buy it man February 10, 1999

A Must Get for College Parties

You want this phat CD.! It is full of energy pumping beats that keep the party thumpin all night long... Buy THis CD and You will not be disapointed January 25, 1999

come again selecta!

Rewind and come again! I regularly play cuts from this compilation on my radio shows and the response from the listeners is massive. Don't doubt it, these songs are indeed ... "top of the file and well while versatile" dancehall selections. January 7, 1999

More reviews at Amazon.com ...