The Voice of Jamaica [Expanded] [Remaster]

Performer: Buju Banton
Artist: Wayne Wonder; Sly Dunbar; Brian & Tony Gold; Busta Rhymes; Beres Hammond; Tony Rebel; Dean Fraser
Engineer: Dave Kelly; Gary Jackson; Carl Toppin; Bobby "Digital" Dixon; Anthony Dalhouse; Andre Tyrell
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Buju Banton, Wayne Wonder, Beres Hammond, Tony Rebel, Terry Ganzie (vocals); Busta Rhymes (rap vocals); Steely, Clevie (various instruments); Lloyd "Guitsy" Willis (guitar); Dean Fraser (saxophone); Danny Browne, Paul "Wrong Move" Crosdale, Leroy "Barbi" Roman, Herbert Harris (keyboards, bass); Robbie Lyn (keyboards); Sly Dunbar, Dave Kelly (programming); Brian Gold, Tony Gold, Two Friends Crew, Andi Green, Spiderman (background vocals). Producers include: Sly Dunbar, Donovan Germain, Steely, Cleevie, Dave Kelly. Reissue producer: Dana G. Smart. Recorded at Penthouse, Music Works #2, Digital B, Music Lab, Kingston, Jamaica; Chung King Studios, New York, New York in 1993. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Universal Records "Reggae Classics" series. Personnel: Lloyd "Gitsy" Willis (guitar); Dean Fraser (saxophone); Danny Browne, Fluxy (keyboards, drum programming); Robert Lyn, Herbert Herbie Harris, Paul "Wrong Move" Crossdale (keyboards); Dave Kelly, Michael Spence, Sly Dunbar (drum programming); 2 Friends Crew, Andi Green, Spiderman, Tony Gold, Brian Gold (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Clevie; Bobby "Digital" Dixon; Steely; Tony Kelly. Recording information: Chung King Studios, New York, NY; Digital B Studios, Kingston, Jamaica; Music Works #2, Kingston, Jamaica; Penthouse Recording Studios, Kingston, Jamaica. This is the kind of album that leaves the listener breathless with amazement, not least of all because Voice of Jamaica was Buju Banton's international debut, but the artist didn't compromise a single note on this set, insuring that Voice is very much a Jamaican product. In fact the album scooped up a clutch of then-recent Jamaican hits, then spun off a whole new batch, with one "Make My Day" giving the DJ his first U.K. chart entry. That was a lush and gorgeous romantic number, boasting the dulcet harmonies of the 2 Friends Crew, who provide superb backings across many of these songs, but Voice has it all, from hardcore dancehall to hip-hop. Over a third of the tracks are combination numbers, the smoldering "Searching" and the smooth "Commitment" both boast Wayne Wonder, the sizzling "If Loving Was a Crime" features the stellar harmonies of Brian & Tony Gold, while veteran soulman Beres Hammond ignites "A Little More Time." The African flavored "Tribal War" boasts Tony Rebel and Terry Ganzie, with the Golds again providing sonorous backing. But the most adventurous combo pairs Banton with Busta Rhymes on "Wicked Act," a jazzy hip-hop-reggae brew, which like "War" also calls for an end to violence. One of the most talked about songs at the time was "Willy (Don't Be Silly)" an incredibly contagious call out for safe sex. And one hopes that Banton took his own advice once he won the girl of "Good Body" fame, one of the most exuberant numbers on the set. More subtle is "Red Rose," but still the poor DJ gets "No Respect," at least in the dancehalls. In the cultural realm it's a different story, and two of Banton's best are "Operation Ardent" and "Deportees (Things Change)," the former a scathing expos� of the police sweeps and curfews inflicted on the dancehalls, the latter a vociferous attack on an ex-pat who lived high in the States, and shared none of his good fortune with his suffering family back home. Thus, the album is true to its title, touching on a myriad of themes personal, political, and cultural. The sound is just as diverse, not surprising considering the wealth of producers within -- Donovan Germain, Dave Kelly, Sly Dunbar, Steely & Clevie, and Busta Rhymes. The rhythms mostly lean towards tough dancehall, but R&B, breezy reggae, and roots are all conjured up as well. It's a superb album, and deserved every accolade it received. ~ Jo-Ann Greene The gruff-voiced DJ Buju Banton's major-label debut was well received but did not really establish him as a unique talent; clearly capable of riding a rhythm and interacting well with singers on the handful of combination tracks sprinkled throughout the program, Banton was nevertheless a less-than-original voice and didn't immediately stand head and shoulders above the other rockstone-style DJs who were proliferating in the wake of Shabba Ranks' international success. But pure originality is not needed to make a very fine reggae album, and a very fine reggae album this is. Paired with Wayne Wonder, Banton acquits himself nicely on the slightly overly slick but still enjoyable "Searching," and he shines even brighter with Brian & Tony Gold on "If Loving Was a Crime." "Make My Day" comes just a bit too close to smooth and smarmy R&B, but "Him Take Off" is a muscularly minimal masterpiece. This remastered reissue features two bonus tracks, both originally issued on a promo-only single. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

The Source (9/93, p.89) - "...after all these singles, Buju's voice is still hard like Kingston. No Nutrasweet in this one..." Musician (9/93, p.75) - "...Banton DJ's in an in-your-face growl that communicates an unsettling urgency....it's forceful, unadulterated dancehall. You've been warned..."

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.

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