While Jamdown's most successful albums of the late '90s and early '00s emphasized the dancehall sector of reggae,
Reggae Xplosion 2001 instead looks toward the lovers rock style. These songs feature crooning vocalists singing emotional odes to their lovers over a foundation of stuttering, quick rhythms that feature hints of soothing down-tempo elements. Full to the brim with 28 tracks by many of the best artists (
Mr. Vegas,
Hawkeye) and producers (Jamdown Crew, Colin Johnson) in the Jamdown camp, this compilation -- like most of the other Jamdown comps -- is an excellent place for casual reggae fans to investigate the best the genre has to offer. The mixing from one song to the next is often jarring and not representative of what better DJs are capable of, but still keeps the mood intact for the majority of this loaded album. ~ Jason Birchmeier