Best of the Best Volume 5 (RAS, 1995)

This volume of RAS' Best of the Best series focuses on Freddie McGregor's Big Ship label.  Although known primarily as a singer, McGregor's behind-the-scenes and production skills are also quite honed, as evidenced by this set.  A crisp, old-school dancehall edge permeates these tunes (a few of the rhythms shared by more than one song), exemplified by two of Luciano's best tracks to date, his remake of Cheryl Lynn's jubilant "Shake It Up Tonight" and the more somber "Jungle Out There."  Equally good as these -- and utilizing the same driving rhythm as "Jungle Out There" -- is the Capleton/Freddie McGregor duet "Make It Snappy." The remaining tunes aren't as "snappy," but Richie Stephens' lovers cover of Major Harris' "Love Won't Let Me Wait," Frankie Diamond's "She Was Insane," Fragga Ranks' "Bumpy Bumpy," and Bigga Haitian's "Red Carpet" (a take on Capleton's hit "Tour") are all decent.   However, since you can get Luciano's two great songs on his classic After All album, the main reason you'd want to get Best of the Best Volume 5 is "Make It Snappy."