The scrappy Positive Sound Massive label has released a number of very fine albums by American reggae artists, many of whom have ties to the underground hip-hop scene as well. This compilation brings those two worlds together, putting artists as diverse as Rasta singjay Rocker-T, turntablist extraordinaire
Mix Master Mike, drum'n'bassers Silicon 2, and old-school reggae masters the Easy Star All-Stars, together on one eclectic program. Predictably, the results aren't entirely even: the hip-hop material, in particular, is mostly acceptable, but not exceptional. But where the two styles converge the results can be pretty spectacular -- the New Dealers' "Marchin' on Babylon" is a very compelling example of reggae-hip-hop fusion, and the combination of drum'n'bass and speed rap on Silicon 2's "Rinse Out" is also very impressive. Rocker-T makes a couple of appearances here, once on the dubwise musique concrete of "All 4 One and 1 in 3" (which is okay) and once as a guest vocalist with
Strong Foundation on the much better "Father 1st." One of the album's best tracks is a turntable seminar titled "Home Invasion" by
Mix Master Mike. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson