Various Artists - Reggae Gold 2015 (VP Records)

The compilation opens with 'Rude', a catchy song by Magic!, a Canadian boy-band with a reggae touch. Staying somewhat in North American waters VP Records opted for Jah Cure's 'Made In California', unfortunately not the strongest track from his recently released 'The Cure' album. With 'Jamaican International Dance', Beres Hammond once again signs for one of the highlights on this edition of 'Reggae Gold'. Posting a number of YouTube videos in which he displayed his verbal skills, Gully Bop created a internet hype in Jamaica (and beyond) and he is the only artist able to boast two songs in the track list of 'Reggae Gold 2015'. A lot of female voices popping up on this year's edition: familiar faces like Queen Ifrica, Etana and Jah9, but also newcomers like Ikaya or Toian. Especially the latter's 'Love It', a song over a revamp of the My Conversation riddim, is one of the highlights on 'Reggae Gold 2015'. Of course should 'Oh Jah Jah', the rather successful roots tune that Eddie Murphy surprised friend and foe with earlier this year, could not be missing from the list hits on this edition. For a closing track VP Records opted for 'News Carryin Dread (Tenement Yard)', a posthumous duet by Inner Circle vocalist Jacob Miller and Chronixx, for which excerpts from Miller's 'Tenement Yard' were used. As a bonus there VP Records added a second disc, containing a mega-mix by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Seani B. Enjoy your summer!