Greensleeves' Classic Rhythms, Vol. 1 launches a new series for the reggae label, one that aims to collect the biggest hits from their rhythm album line. If you're not familiar with the rhythm album and the whole idea of rhythm-based songs, the singers and lyrics change but the backing track remains the same. Newcomers often find normal rhythm albums tedious so this selective series serves a purpose, especially since some of these tracks never found their way onto their artists' proper albums. Here the rhythms are, in order, Sweat, Mad Ants, Good to Go, and Krazy, all from producer
Donovan "Vendetta" Bennett and the years 2002-2005. The furious Sweat is the big one, with both
Beenie Man and Voicemail having massive hits on the cut. While the Mad Ants rhythm is polished, smooth, and perfect for the cool croon of
Wayne Wonder, the following Good to Go is a steamy combination of flamenco guitars and digital blips, driving a cheeky
Bounty Killer to boast "But sexual speakin' Warlord nuh faulta/Backboard strong like di Rock of Gibralta." The Krazy rhythm has taken
Elephant Man up the charts two times, once with the cut included here and once with
Wayne Wonder collaboration "Crazy Feeling," which is unfortunately missing. ~ David Jeffries