Toppa di Top and Dirty Rhythms [PA]

Performer: Buju Banton
Producer: Gargamel
Distributor: Alternative Dis. Alliance

Notes: Buju Banton's place in the pantheon of dancehall was more than secure by the time TOPPA DI TOP AND DIRTY RHYTHMS was released in 2006. In fact, Banton sings on only two tracks here, with the rest of the album dedicated to other luminaries from the genre, including Elephant Man, Spectacular, Wayne Wonder, and others. Banton's rough and ragged voice kicks off the set with the rousing "Top a Top." And while the style of several of the artists included is closely akin to Banton's own adrenaline-rush, chant-sing delivery, the smooth approach of Pincers and the Middle Eastern-inflected singing of Kiprich add some variety to the mix. TOPPA DI TOP acts as a sampler of contemporary Jamaican dancehall, and as such is certainly worth a listen.

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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