A major problem for riddim albums -- besides the fact that 99.9 percent of the world considers them horribly monotonous -- is when a singer nails a track and every other artist lives in the shadow of his or her definitive version. For co-producers Nigel Burell and Patrick Henry's rootsy riddim Lava Splash,
I Wayne's "Lava Ground" is the bigger-than-big tune, a huge hit in Jamaica and the rare non-crossover-oriented track that still crosses over. With
I Wayne's smooth delivery and moving lyrics, it's easy to hear why the track received R&B and some pop radio airplay across the globe, and while many of the other singers deliver inspired songs over the backing track, they don't reach the height of "Lava Ground." Best of the runner-ups has to be from up-and-comer
Queen I-Frica, who delivers the heartbreaking tale of a reckless badman named "Randy."
Sizzla pours his heart out on "Stop Fighting" and
Anthony B.'s bitter "Blood Shed" is very well written, while
D.Y.C.R. delivers the surprising "Expected," a sure and literate bit of dub poetry that recalls
Mutabaruka and
Linton Kwesi Johnson's simmering venom. There are just a few more thrills past these numbers, but the up-and-down Lava Splash is worth considering for the massive highlights. ~ David Jeffries