Search - Various Artists :: Platinum Jam 98

You can't go wrong with a VP Records compilation. Daddy Randy Chin's little Kingston record shop was the place where artists and other Jamaican music-industry folk met to hang and hear the latest Wailers or Jimmy Cliff 45-inch back in the day. Their sons' New York-based label maintains that direct pipeline to and from Jamaica, gathering the latest and hottest jams to build compilations with a sweaty, 2 a.m.-in-the-dancehall vibe. This one's got an extra-special bonus: everyone's riding either of two hot riddim tracks--producer-writer Tony Kelly's "Bookshelf " and his little brother Dave's equally sizzling "Bruckout." Some may grouse over the Jamaican producer's penchant for concocting a hit riddim, then turning anywhere from 7 to 50 artists loose on it. But when the riddims are as wicked as on these two songs, you get a nonstop groove no one wants to stop. And, being the star studio personages that they are, the Kellys attract the best mic talent. "Bookshelf" features no less than Tanya Stephens, Lady Saw, Richie Stephens, Wayne Wonder, Sean Paul, Mr. Vegas, Devonte-Tanto Metro, and Beenie Man taking their licks. "Bruckout" brings out the roughrider in Wonder, Spragga Benz, Frisco Kid, Cobra, Baby Cham, Chico-Tanto Metro, and Bounty Killa. This bulletin from the reggae dancehall front goes out to all reggae and hip-hop heads. --Elena Oumano