Reggae Gold 2005

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Listening to the first third of REGGAE GOLD 2005, one might get the impression that it would be more accurately titled DANCEHALL GOLD. The disc is heavily front-loaded with tracks by some of the biggest dancehall artists around, including Beenie Man, Sean Paul, and the Godfather of dancehall, Buju Banton himself. Eight songs in, however, there's a drastic change-up, as things take a much more melodic turn, with tunes from Bitty McLean, Beres Hammond, and others, mixing roots reggae, rocksteady, and lovers rock. McLean's "Walk Away From Love," which juxtaposes the old David Ruffin Motown classic over a vintage Duke Reid Studio One track, is easily the highlight of the whole collection. Towards the end, things turn back around to dancehall with such heavy hitters as Sizzla and Elephant Man closing out the album on an up note. Nevertheless, it's still pretty tough to get that McLean track out of one's head.

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