Reggae Gold 2009

Audio Remasterers: Paul Shields; Neil Edwards.
For reggae fans, the 2000s will go down in history as a decade in which dancehall toasting and reggae singing often went hand-in-hand in much the same way that hip-hop and R&B went hand-in-hand. Dancehall toasters incorporated reggae singing throughout the 2000s, and reggae singers (especially the younger ones) didn't hesitate to feature dancehall toasters. The prominence of dancehall is evident on REGGAE GOLD 2009, which is by no means dancehall exclusive but is certainly dancehall-friendly. The compilation spotlights 21st century dancehall with recordings by well-known toasters like Elephant Man ("Dance and Sweep," "Nuh Linga") and Mavado ("So Special"), and the dancehall influence is impossible to miss on British R&B singer Estelle's hit "Come Over" (which features dancehall star Sean Paul). While REGGAE GOLD 2009 may contain too much crossover action to be recommended to purists, the compilation is well-worth obtaining if one has diverse tastes and appreciates a wide variety of 21st century reggae.