Pure Reggae
"Pure Reggae" mysteriously includes Arrow's sizzling soca anthem, "Hot Hot Hot," but let's not quibble. The compilation's interesting conflation of reggae history places Jamaican Brit Millie Small's 1960 international hit, "My Boy Lollipop," next to "Boom Shakalak," an '80s hit from another U.K. Caribbean, DJ Apache Indian. The set opens and closes with Bob Marley & The Wailers--"Stir It Up" and "Exodus"--but it's a reggae grab bag in between. Give thanks for the inclusion of Desmond Dekker's "Israelites," The Melodians' "Rivers of Babylon," and Dawn Penn's "You Don't Love Me." Chaka Demus & Pliers' "Tease Me" megahit and reggae forefather Lord Creator's anthemic "Kingston Town" are also featured. --Elena Oumano