Dancehall Stylee (Trojan, 1998)

A companion set to the more lovers-oriented Let's Go to the Blues, Dancehall Stylee is packed with songs that helped form the subgenre known as dancehall between 1979 and 1985.  Now, when I say "dancehall" here, I don't mean the computerized, digital riddims that came to dominate reggae after Wayne Smith's 1985 smash "Under Mi Sleng Teng," the sound that Brits call "ragga" so as to differentiate it from dancehall.  No, the dancehall on Dancehall Stylee is more akin to roots than to digital "ragga"; it focuses more on sparse, funky drum and bass-dominated beats and often features a DJ.  When done well, this sound can be truly intoxicating; when done poorly, it can be Sominex-ing.  You get a bit of both on this collection, but its main benefit is the exposure it provides to these dancehall pioneers, many of whom are little-known today.  The best cuts here include Wayne Jarrett's "Satta Dread," which incorporates the horns form the Abyssinians' "Satta Massagana" over a killer bass line, Poppo Tollo's rhythmic "Get Ready and Reggae," and the underrated Anthony Johnson's "Natty Dread Come in a Dance," while also solid are Barry Brown's "Teaching," John Wayne's tongue-twisting "You Too Greedy," Jah Thomas' "Dancehall Connection," and Don Carlos' "Lazer Beam."  Twenty-two tracks, however, is simply too many to ensure an efficient selection, causing the overall quality of Dancehall Stylee to slip.