Description:

“Kings of Reggae is the 8^th installment (sic) in a compilation series that grows more ubiquitous with each release. Over 150,000 albums have been sold in a series that bring together globally renowned DJ’s (sic) & producers to reveal their favorite (sic) tracks in the genre they themselves have become best known for. The Kings of albums allow compilers to make choices well beyond the usual restraints imposed on them.”

Which means?

The pairing of Kiss DJ/Dr Who extra David Rodigan, according to The Independent , the “top dog in the ganja-scented, bass-heavy atmosphere of Britain’s reggae dancehalls”, and Shaggy producer, Sting International. Aka MySpace’s Mr Music Man. Who also styles himself as a disc jockey.

Is it much cop?

Nah, it’s totally gangster. Or as Sting International, not to be confused with plain, old (and I mean that in every sense of the terms) Sting, puts it: “Real gangsta doah wear tight clothes!" Make of that what you will.

How many good tracks?

On David Rodigan’s CD1, 12 out of 12. On CD 2, as compiled by Sting International, 12 out of 12. That’ll be 24 out of 24 then.

And the worst?

As the press release uncannily predicts, “once again the meeting of minds in the Kings of series has spawned an informed, double CD taking in all aspects of Jamaican music including Reggae, Dub, Rocksteady and Ska that highlights some of the most popular hits of the last 20 years and plenty of obscure gems for the Reggae connoisseur.”

Biggest disappointment?

This “connoisseur” would have preferred Rodigan, in particular, and Sting International got their hands rather dirtier digging out “obscure gems” than cherry-picking “the most popular hits”. Dave’s choice of Junior Murvin’s ‘Police & Thieves’ and Jimmy Cliff’s ‘The Harder They Come’, for example, follows cold on the feet of a pretty well-trodden path worn by previous reggae archivists. However, the pair deserves genuine respect for trumpeting the virtues of the under-rated Dennis Brown.

Verdict:

Peter Tosh borrowed from The Bible in Bush Doctor’s ‘Creation’. “King of Kings, Lord of Lords” he intoned. A judgement which seems entirely appropriate for this majestic joint effort from Rodigan and Sting International.

(4/5)