The Best of the Early Years: 1990-1995

Performer: Buju Banton
Artist: Dean Fraser; Sly Dunbar; Robbie Shakespeare; Heavy D; Nadine Sutherland; Wayne Wonder
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Buju Banton, Heavy D, Nadine Sutherland, Wayne Wonder, Dean Fraser, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Dave Kelly. Producers include: Donovan Germain, Winston Riley, Sly Dunbar, Clifton "Specialist" Dillon, Dave Kelly. Engineers include: Andre Tyrell, Dave Kelly, Michael "Coolie" Cooper. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Recording information: MIxing Lab; Studio 2000; Studio Channel; Studio Digital B; Studios Penthouse Recording. Or more accurately "Buju Banton: The Penthouse Years," for this compilation rounds up a robust crop of singles all cut at Penthouse studio. Obviously then, much of this compilation was overseen by Penthouse label head Donovan Germain himself or by his prot�g�, Dave Kelly, with another student, Bobby Digital, putting a hand in, while a Sly Dunbar production and a Winston Riley one complete this fulsome set. Banton's breakout year in Jamaica was 1991, and from that date on the hits flooded out nonstop. Even the uproar that followed the release of the homophobic "Boom Bye Bye" in 1992 barely stemmed the tide. The following year, the DJ inked a deal with Mercury and unleashed Voice of Jamaica in the States, but it was his switch to culture with 1995's 'Til Shiloh that opened the door to a wider public. That shift in direction was heralded by Banton's 1993 masterpiece, "Murderer," but you'd never note that change from this set, which doesn't contain a single cultural track within. This is a pure party album, filled with ragga anthems dedicated to the dance, the chase, and women's most striking attributes. The themes may be well trodden, but Banton gives them all a freshness, and whether he's romantic, admiring, overcome with desire, or just nice-ing up the dance, the DJ's quick tongue and utterly convincing delivery made him (and keep him) a dancehall hero. There are a few notable omissions -- his Penthouse debut, "Man Fi Dead," and the huge hits "Love Mi Brownie" and "Yardie" all spring immediately to mind. But you do get such smashes as "Bogle," "Good Looking Gal," the awesome "Batty Rider," and the controversial "Boom." There isn't a weak track within and the rhythms are all top-notch, sizzling dancehall raggas laid down by the likes of Steely & Clevie, the Firehouse Crew, Danny Browne, and Kelly and Digital themselves. Relive the magic of Banton at his bad-boy best. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

CMJ (9/3/01, p.21) - "...Banton ruled the Jamaican dancehall and even made some headway in the US. These songs are the foundation of a career that's still going strong..."

One of the most acclaimed Jamaican DJs of the '90s, Buju Banton was among those in the thriving ragga dancehall scene who turned their backs on the "slackness" to focus once again on "cultural" statements and "conscious" lyrics. He was huge in Jamaica, but when he was the voice of the moment in '92, he recorded the anti-gay "Boom Bye Bye," which sparked much controversy and momentarily stalled his career. He returned in '93 with "Murderer," a song instrumental in changing the focus of DJ lyrics away from celebrations of the gun.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25