VP Records decided to push back the release date of 'Strictly The Best 58 & 59' to the new year, the hit compilations to the new year, so the release could also kick off the festivities surrounding the 40th anniversary of the VP label.
On 'Strictly The Best 58', the first part of the diptych, traditionally the more rootsy and lovers flavored tracks. The disc opens with 'Contradiction' by Alborosie and Chronixx, followed by 'Stop The Fussing And Fighting', a cover of the Culture classic by Kenyatta Hill. His contribution to 'Remembering Joseph 'Culture' Hill', which appeared last year on Donovan Germain's Penthouse label but was distributed by VPal, remaines quite close to the original, but elsewhere in the track list we also found Etana's 'Jah See Dem A Come', which she gave a slightly more personal touch.
This year each of the two discs also contains a previously unreleased track, and on 'Strictly The Best 58' that's Maxi Priest's 'Rock Steady Love' (a production by Clive Hunt and Michelle Williams).
Our favorites however are 'Real Love', an excellent love tune from Shuga and 'Rockin' In The Dance' by DJ Kurt Riley, the best Konshens we've heard in years!
The argument between Vybz Kartel and Shenseea (see 'Loodi') must not have been too serious, as the duo can already be heard together again in the so-called "refix" of 'Secret', the energetic opening track of 'Strictly The Best 59'. Next up is a song by Atlanta-based dancehall queen Dovey Magnum, but we would rather catalogue 'Good' as r&b. Christopher Martin seduces us once again with 'Can't Dweet Again', a song over the All Night riddim, followed by Estelle's catchy 'Really Want', a combination with Konshens and Nick x Navi, from her 2018 'Lovers Rock' album.
English-Jamaican Liza Mercedez, currently going viral on social media, collaborated with Jamaican producer Shams for 'Come Back Home (Netflix & Chill)', a somewhat disappointing slow wine for those familiar with this lady's oeuvre. It's up to I-Octane to wake us up again and that's exactly what he with 'Your Style', a ladies tune hinting at the famous nineteen nineties Poco Man Jam riddim, somewhere between calypso and the old school Bogle dance.
How Assassin's 'A Million Squats', a tune over the Hardcore riddim, ended up on this compilation is a mystery, as the song already dates back to 2016. Admittedly, it has stood the test of time though. Duo RDX opts for a carnival vibe with 'Grab', a tune over a simple riddim produced by Blaqk Sheep Music. Ding Dong returns with 'Flair Is In The Air', a so-called "dance-instructions tune", but it's definitely not the best song we've heard from the man. Teejay also disappoints with 'Up Top', a song from 2017 over the boring riddim of the same name.
It's up to none other than Beenie Man to lift things to a higher level again with last year's hit tune 'Dancehall President'. In his inimitable passive-aggressive style, he once again wants to let us know he doesn't get involved with "G man", leaving us to ponder on wither it's really necessary to repeat that in every other song you release.
We're served some trancehall by Shane-O with 'Radio', followed by 'Dash In The Mirror' by New York's abstract/illbient hip-hop pioneer DJ Spooky, probably the most experimental song on this compilation, originally from his 'Phantom Dancehall' album, on which he flirted with tropical rhythms.
As far as the last track on this volume is concerned, we once again run into Christopher Martin and Beenie Man, treating us to a cover of the Tenor Saw classic 'Lots of Signs', produced by Bulby York.
Congratulations VP, let's get this party started!
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