Chant a Prayer (Jamdown, 1998)

To say that this may be the most enjoyable album I've heard from Jamdown Records is like saying Jessica Simpson is the most talented member of her family.  Though not much of a compliment, Chant a Prayer is actually quite an enjoyable set, a pleasant surprise from a label primarily responsible for an onslaught of cheaply packaged rhythm albums filled with generic dancehall.  This set features a more relaxed pace and, despite the title, a lovers inclination.  As such, singers reign here over DJs, although Anthony B contributes the solid title track and Baby Wayne delivers the decent, albeit out-of-place, energetic dancehall cut "Joe Quick fi Shot."  Of the smoother songs, standouts include Spanner Banner's "Sharon," his brother Richie Spice's "Slang a Slang" (which adapts the "Bam Bam" rhythm nicely), the reliable Tony Curtis' "I'm Coming Home," Skatta's "Don't Wanna," and the more rootsy "Chalwa" by Stan Rick.  As is usually the case with a Jamdown release, many of the rhythms on Chant a Prayer are re-used (and familiar), but usually only twice total, so they don’t get worn out.  Only a pair of lousy covers -- Bobby Crystal's take on Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" and Major Christie's version of Ginuwine's "Pony" -- mar this otherwise enjoyable release.