Various Artists - Ganja Anthems (Irie Ites Records)

Their 'Ganja Anthems' compilation contains 16 tracks, which, apart from three brand new songs (Suga Roy & Conrad Crystal's 'Look Out Weedman', Peetah Morgan's 'Healing Of The Nation' and Spectacular's 'More Herb' in a remix by Russ D) were all pulled from the extensive back catalogue of the label. Those who have followed Irie Ites' releases in recent years, will probably recognize the bigger part of the tunes on this compilation. This of course does not mean that these aren't killer ganja tunes over Irie Ites riddims like Rocking Time, Strange Things, Cuss Cuss, Run Down The World, Diamond and more, performed by veteran musicians like Roots Radics, Sly & Robbie, Mafia & Fluxy and Earl 'Chinna' Smith. Though it's difficult to choose, 'Straight To Mi Heart', Perfect's version over the Soulful Spirit riddim, continues to lift our spirits every time we hear it; and the riddim Irie Ites used for Lorenzo and Chezidek's 'Mr. Officer' (Mikey Dread's 'Roots And Culture') still has an inexplicable hold on yours truly. Blaze it!