Customer Reviews

Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2008

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Early in 2008 the world's leading Caribbean music label. VP Records made an announcement which may not have meant too much to non-reggae fans but to reggae fans (whether we realize it or not) is one of the most significant occurrences in reggae history altogether. The label announced its intentions (and subsequently carried it out) to purchase its chief rival, the UK based Greensleeves Records from Zest Music Group. For those actually involved in the industry (myself potentially included) the move meant a great deal almost immediately as right then and there the competition for services IMMEDIATELY were literally cut in half at the highest level. Producers long accustomed heading to Greensleeves to put out their riddims and their albums suddenly had a new group to deal with and the notoriously contract-shy Greensleeves hadn't really left any incentive for its new owners to be legally bound to deal with the same individuals AT ALL. Also, compounding the situation was the fact that the likely third candidate at that time, fellow UK based Jet Star was in the midst of obviously crumbling and even when it was at its heights had a different market than both VP and Greensleeves (Jet Star tended to focus heavily on the UK reggae scene and have sense been WONDERFULLY replaced by upstart Cousin's Records under Donville Davis). These things will ultimately trickle down to the actual consumers in one form or another as the two labels, which once so FREELY competed with each other in their releases (which is a plus for the fans) and signing artists and producers (which is a BIG plus for them). VP have proven themselves capable of seemingly being the only group able to sale reggae in this modern era on a grand scale and do so consistently and they're FAR smarter than me at such and will be certain to know not to compete with themselves on certain areas. Just recently we saw the first bit of `crossover' between the labels now under the same VP/Greensleeves umbrella as young dancehall ace Busy Signal released his official sophomore album, Loaded, under VP after having previously been a Greensleeves artist. Loaded is in the process of receiving the BIG push from the labels at their absolute best and you're certain to see more such pieces in the future (PARTICULARLY the next time dancehall bad guy Vybz Kartel deems it time for him to release his next album as he was one just a few artist with whom Greensleeves had an actual contract). Next on the radar for the labels is a Gyptian album (I Can Feel Your Pain) released on the same day as this album in question here, Fantan Mojah's sophomore album (Stronger, which I've heard quite a bit of and is EXCELLENT) next month and an Anthony B album in early 2009 (and I'm sure they'll have something else under their sleeves for the holidays). Really what is happening now is if you love modern reggae music, be it roots or dancehall, you `re simply going to HAVE to deal with VP/Greensleeves in one way or another which is EXACTLY what I'm sure they had in mind.

I have to admit that the fan in me, when I heard about the sale, almost straight away went to wondering what might become of the VERY NICE compilations Greensleeves had invested so much time into in its heyday. The artists will (and have) catch on in some way or another, but will VP continue to run the compilations which were, arguably, consistently stronger than their very own titles. Well, earlier this year, they released one of Greensleeves' annual hardcore dancehall compilation Ragga Ragga Ragga and now coming forth is its annual roots compilation The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems, which in it's brief time has probably become my absolute favourite of all GS' compilations. Not only was the question IF they would continue to run the series or not, but if you were really a fan (and I was and I am) you also have to question HOW they would run them and whether or not they would retain the more `underground' type of feel which came with Greensleeves' releases or give them the kind of glossy and spectacular feel which VP's very own compilations tend to have (and I definitely appreciate both at this point). RRR DEFINITELY retained its hardcore nature, although in the time it was released, the former management PROBABLY had that one completely settled before leaving their offices so really the One-Drop Anthems album will probably be the REAL indication of exactly where VP intends to take the series. The first thing I noticed was that it continues very much in the same fashion as last year's version which was the first of then three installments which shrunk the previously two disc and forty tracks deep compilation to one nice CD along with an accompanying DVD. That's not surprising at all, on its own VP has grown to include DVD's alongside their own compilations such as Reggae and Soca Gold as well as on actual artists' albums as well such as Richie Spice from last year with the In The Streets To Africa album and apparently the forthcoming Beres Hammond release as well, A Moment In Time. Now what happens on the big deal with The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2008, which is the tracklist, is that you get just a bit of the `old' Greensleeves' track selection style and you get a lot of what you've come to expect from VP's style of building compilations, making it the first OBVIOUS case of VP making its imprint on one of Greensleeves' signature releases. HOWEVER, that being said, that doesn't at all mean things are BAD at all, you can still expect in the midst of the album some very nice material which, as is its normal case, will appeal most to the newer fans but just quite a bit to the hardcore reggae heads as well. The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems is a young series compared to GS' other longer-lived comps (RRR, The Biggest Ragga Dancehall Anthems, Greensleeves Sampler etc.). But in its short time (having been `born' in just 2005) it has definitely placed itself amongst the best they have to offer and the best on the market period and 2008's installment isn't really a disappointment on that BRIEF but strong history.

As I said, when the former Greensleeves built a compilation, their intents was seemingly to find the tunes which were spinning heavy in Jamaica at that given moment regardless of how internationally popular the tunes may or may not be; as opposed to VP who, when they build a compilation, they tend to favour the tunes and the artists with which they have already aligned themselves and you'll see both styles throughout the course of The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2008. Getting things started on the album is an artist with whom BOTH labels were so closely aligned, reggae superstar Sizzla Kalonji with his old school vibed Crucial Time. Its always pretty easy for me to recommend a Sizzla tune where he comes ANYWHERE NEAR a straight forward roots tune because to my ears there's simply no one who does that better at the moment (and I'm VERY partial). Crucial Time isn't anything special at all really, but its still very good! The tune finds the King of August Town speaking to the ghetto youths that no matter where you come from and how bad it may be you can still (and NEED still to) achieve to the best as you possibly can. Usual niceness from Kalonji. Next up is the very Greensleeves-like selection of big voiced (ST. ANN!) youth Romain Virgo's Mi Caan Sleep. Virgo was the winner of Jamaican Idol 2007 (aka Digicel Rising Stars). Mi Caan Sleep is a wonderful social commentary and showcase for the big voice of Virgo and really I don't think he'll be an artist you'll see immediately, but within a few years you'll DEFINITEY have to keep an eye on Virgo, I don't too much get caught up in the celebrity and the hype but you have to admit the skill of the youth (and Greensleeves LOVED the show, Lenya Wilks, another participant from the show also appears on Greensleeves' Sampler 2008 as well). Completing the opening here is a tune that I'm actually TIRED of now, the very VP-like pick of Morgan Heritages still mighty Nothing To Smile About. The tune is one of the singles from this year's release from the Morgans, Mission In Progress (also on the Riddim Driven album fro the Rub-A-Dub riddim). Its still a very nice and poignant tune and I'm not AT ALL surprised to see it hear, but you, like me, may have already well had your fill of the tune, however if you haven't, it's a beautiful tune and you're certain to love it. Pretty nice beginning with two not so standard tunes opening things up.

The artists here are REALLY impressive. Some of the names are names which I usually look at the roster of the One-Drop Anthems album and wonder exactly why they don't have a tune on the album, but a lot of them are here thankfully, making it one of the more `open' releases in the series one or two discs. I myself haven't `opened' much at all apparently, however as in spite of several really nice newer tunes, my ears STILL tell me that the best tune here is ultimately Sizzla's HUGE Rastah Man Chant over Dill-Ox Inta's DRIVING Vet Law riddim. The tune finds Sizzla near top form as he pushes a vibes praising His Imperial Majesty which strikes of a Sizzla from yesteryear before the zaniness and the experimentation. Anytime he gets near that, you need to really pay attention because he can create magic at will: Rastah Man Chant being recent example number one. HUGE SONG (and he has two songs here so expect a Sizzla album on VP pretty soon)! Okay I was so pleasantly surprised to see Ms. Irie Love on this album. The (very easy on the eyes) Hawaiian reggae shooting star has been making quite a name for herself in Jamaica recently and she chimes in with the biggest effort I've heard from her altogether the DELIGHTFUL Put Jah First. This album is SUPPOSED to give you names like Irie Love to learn and pay attention to and this is why I like it so much partially. Put Jah First is just SO NICE and incidentally was crafter by the versatile sensational young producer Stephen McGregor. BIG BIG SONG real attraction here (and check Irie Love going Anthony B like later in the tune with Jah above everything!). Of the other tunes you're unlikely to find many other places shining here is definitely the high profile combination Too Late featuring the wonderful Queen Ifrica alongside underrated veteran (but personal favourite of mine) Junior Kelly for Al.Ta.Fa.An. The song is just a sweet jilted lovers type of tune (if such a thing exists) and, again, you'll be hardpressed to find it officially on another release as of yet and hopefully VP will soon push albums from BOTH big artists. Definitely check that one. Of course check Jah Cure's Forever, its actually not one of my favourite tunes from the artist as of late, but its steadily growing on me and by time his next album reaches, like the rest of the gems he makes DAILY, I'm sure I'll love it. And two later tracks which standout which are actually VP like selections for Greensleeves releases. The first is Anthony B alongside old school legend Horace Andy on Enter The Kingdom of Zion which is the first single from his forthcoming Rise Up for Maximum Sounds' high stepping Sessions Riddim. Always love to see tunes like this with the elders and the kings of today and especially on a vibes PRAISING HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY! The two work very well together and definitely getting ready to see Rise Up in Januaru. BIG TUNE. The other tune of note late here is the nice lover's piece from Dutchie and Statian Ziggi, Need To Tell You This over the iLove riddim. It was one of my favourites from his recent BIG In Transit album (from VP/Greensleeves) and likewise, it remains here. The rest of these tunes you should already know having read this far into this review. The expected names like Luciano (with Trod On from the Jah Is My Navigator album), Duane Stephenson (with the title track from his last album), of course Tarrus Riley (with the MASSIVE Lion Paw from the two years old Parables album), the aforementioned Jamelody (with the well traveled single from Be Prepared, Love Crazy) and lastly Gyptian also with the title tune from his new album I Can Feel Your Pain: They are ALL VP artists with current releases out which VP is obviously still duly promoting to the best of their abilities. I'll also mention Collie Buddz' nice Gimmie Love for Mario C's wonderful Paradise riddim (FULLY expect to see Collie Buddz on VP/Greensleeves at some point in the not too distant future).

The DVD is full of videos of things which you can find ("YOU" know where) online and I don't even know why its here in its form, I think it should have been like a behind the scenes type, because these videos, once highly inaccessible to international fans, just aren't so hard to find these days.

Overall, put a checkmark as pretty good for VP's first take on Greensleeves' The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems album. Of course VP Records did what VP Records does and has been SUCCESSFULLY doing for quite awhile and used their compilation as a shining and audio advertisement for some of their other releases. What is most interesting, however, is that it really shines when you get away from that type of song. This album (as they all are) is recommended for newer fans to reggae music, particularly of the roots variety, but dancehall fans MIGHT find something here they like as well. Longtime fans, you already know the drill. Sometimes this one is for you, sometimes it isn't. The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2008 isn't.

Awesome, this one is the best so far, I love this album, i cannot stop listening to it , it keeps me going , I would definitely recommomd this record to all the reggae lover out there BIG UP to the Biggest Reggae One -Drop Anthems. Love It!

the biggest reggae one-drop anthems discs are great for reggae music lovers. this collection is pretty good but i have to say that the 2007 album is still my favorite. this album for me gets a 4/5 where the 2007 album would get a 5/5 from me. maybe next years will be even better!

I have bought all in this series since 2006. This was ok, especially if in need of some fresh sound, but maybe not quite up to the better compilations in the past. Still worth listening to though.