The 20 Classic Hits of Junior Delgado

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During reggae's fertile '70s era, Kingston, Jamaica, probably produced more stars than Hollywood. Delgado is one of many music artists with such obvious talent that it's almost shocking to realize that his name and those of so many others are virtually unknown outside of Jamaica, except by the most dedicated reggae fans. "Merry-Go-Around," crooned in Delgado's intimate, grainy baritone and reminiscent here of the great Sugar Minott's, is a sublime slice of reggae's lover's rock style, as is "Sweet Darling" and so many of the other tracks, while "Fort Augustus" makes an anguished social statement. Whether or not you were lucky enough to have been there, bust this CD, lay back, and "vision" those glory dancehall days when the lights were low, reggae was the closest living folk got to the heavenly choir, and couples locked together for steamy rub-a-dubs in every nook and corner. --Elena Oumano