The Best Of Buju Banton

Performer: Buju Banton
Artist: Beres Hammond; Maxi Priest; Los Pericos; Ras Shiloh
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Buju Banton, Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Los Pericos, Ras Shiloh. Producers: Donavan Germain, Robert Livingston, Bobby "Digital" Dixon. Compilation producer: Dana G. Smart. Recorded between 1993 & 1997. Includes liner notes by Karyl Walker. Personnel: Buju Banton (vocals); Bahiano (vocals); 2 Friends Crew, Marcia Griffiths, Tony Gold, Brian Gold (background vocals). Audio Remixers: Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander ; Rob "Fonksta" Bacon. Liner Note Author: Karyl Walker. Photographers: David Katz; Adrian Boot; Al Pereira; Tim Barrow. Arranger: Los Pericos. The Best of Buju Banton provides a concise look at his dancehall and reggae work, collecting definitive tracks, duets, and remixes. Songs like "Deportees (Things Change)," "Circumstances," and "Murderer" capture the harder-hitting side of his raspy singing style, while "Destiny" reflects the lighter, romantic aspects of his music. The album features no less than three collaborations -- "Wanna Be Loved" with Los Pericos, "Heartbreak Lover" with Maxi Priest and Beres Hammond, and "Give I Strength" with Ras Shiloh -- which could be a lot for an 11-track collection, but since these songs blend in so well with the rest, it's not really noticeable. A remix of "Champion" rounds out this compilation, which isn't as in-depth as either Best of the Early Years 1990-1995 or The Ultimate Collection, but does offer a decent sampling of Banton's different styles. ~ Heather Phares

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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