As expected, the Reggae Gold series continued its annual collection of some of each year's most crucial tunes, and 2000 proved to be especially hard-hitting. Opening with
Bounty Killer's powerful toasting on "Look," the tone is set for fast-paced riddims and booming-voiced DJs, with Bounty, Capleton, and
Lexxus appearing on the first three tunes. Indeed, caustic and gruff DJ performances fill the majority of the CD, from
Madd Anju's humorous "Nuh Play Chess" and
Baby Cham's "War Forever" to Professor Nutts' catchy "Magnet." For those who need some respite from dancehall's rough beats, there's an excellent offering of smooth lovers rock, from
Beres Hammond's soothing "They Gonna Talk" to Sanchez' masterful remake of
Brian McKnight's "Back to One." This is truly an all-inclusive greatest-hits package. ~ Rosalind Cummings-Yeates