The Ultimate Reggae Dancehall X-perience is really just that, and perhaps a tad bit more. Assembled by Tad's Records International, this 22-track compilation can rival any VP Reggae Gold offering. And executive producer Tad Dawkins deserves kudos for this compilation, which could possibly be the start of a successful series of the same name.

Tads has managed to scoop up the majority the current hits and compiled them into one helluva reggae/dancehall 'x-perience' that will be enjoyed as much by the uninitiated as well as by fans of both genres.

This 'x-perience' is a combination of versatility, virtuoso and lyrical wit which combine to make the CD an interesting mix and a must-listen. It opens with the hardcore dancehall hit which sees cultural deejay, Anthony B stepping out of his comfort zone and making a brilliant foray into the real world of dancehall. Tease Her is the kind of song that one expects from a Beenie Man, for example, but this Ras delivers this "one-time tingie" so convincingly that one can't help but admire his talent.

The real dancehall segment of the compilation is rounded out with Munga Honorable, who stays true to form with Wine Pon It, and Beenie Man with the hit single The Gal Dem Love Me So.

Conscious/reality tunes take centrestage with Ifrica's Daddy and Me Nah Rub, Busy's Nah Go A Jail, Richie Spice's De Plane Land and The World Is A Cycle, Chuckle Berry's Bad Man (Bout you a badman and a impersonate Rodman, you nuh see di world full a madman), Mykal Rose's Shoot Out, and then there is that absolute gem of a song, Gun, by Lutan Fyah and Etana. A melodious piece, it's a resistance anthem to all the gun killings, and this is captured by Lutan Fyah when he croons, "The toy whe gun, yow mi hate you, you kill a bag a people mi nuh rate you . wan know di wicked man whe operate you."

Reggae queen, Marcia Griffiths, fits in quite snugly with this all-star cast with the love song I Told You So, which finds its mate in Jah Cure's To Your Arms Of Love.

Also forming part of this essential reggae/dancehall learning x-perience, are Mavado's big tune On The Rock, Nesbeth's Board House, Capleton's Same Old Story and Pain (a combination with BoBo Zarro), Break My Promise by Contractor, Gyptian's My Head, Rasta Dub Plate, Perfect and Ifrica's Nuff Vibes.

Feeding the multitude

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