WHEN the 62nd edition of Strictly The Best is released on November 18, the project will feature the top songs of 2022.

Aaron Talbert is vice-president of sales and marketing at New York-based VP Records, distributors of the popular compilation album.

“Since its inception in 1991, there have been many highlights in the Strictly The Best compilation series. Our goal is to serve the audience for core Jamaican reggae with breaking hits in dancehall, roots and lovers rock styles. For many years, we have released two volumes at once [DJs and singers] and have experimented with variations on this theme over the years,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “For Volume 62, we have created an exclusive single disc [physical] CD version with roots, lovers rock and dancehall selections, and a dancehall-only selection for the streaming market.”

Among the tracks on the digital release are New Waves by Trance 1Gov, Battlefield by Rytikal, Inna Di Benz by Malie Donn, Kingpin by Intence, Meesh by Jahshii, Gone too Soon by Chronic Law, Feel Great by I-waata, Ready by Yaksta, and Money Power Respect by Jahvillani.

The CD release features Love Salute by Tarrus Riley, Really Together by Alaine, Life to Live by Alborosie featuring The Wailing Souls, Frenz by Spice, You’ll Never Find by Christopher Martin, and Good Woman by Romain Virgo.

Strictly The Best is also known for its graphic cover art. This year’s design is done by Spliffington.

Dancehall artiste I-waata is happy to be among the artistes included.

“Over the years mi put een a whole body of work. Dem link mi an’ sey dem want a track wid mi, so mi know sey work a show from over di years weh mi put een. Is a tremendous feeling man, an’ we have whole heap more major collaborations a forward,” said I-Waata.

Feel Great is a joint production between Spec Records and Seanizzle.