Forward: A Selection of Greensleeves Top Singles 1977-82 (Greensleeves, 1994 [orig. released 1983])

As the title suggests, this album collects the biggest hits released on the then-fledgling record label Greensleeves in the fruitful years of 1977 through 1982.   Formed in 1975, the label by this time period already showed a heavy leaning toward the heavy-beat dancehall sound (as opposed to what Brits would refer to as the more modern digital "ragga" sound).  Henry "Junjo" Lawes is primarily responsible for this sound, as he produces 6 of the 10 songs on Forward, the best being Eek-A-Mouse's classic sing-songy "Wa-Do-Dem" and Michael Prophet's catchy "Gunman," with John Holt's "Fat She Fat" and Clint Eastwood & General Saint's "Another One Bites the Dust" (thankfully not the Queen tune) being nice as well.  A couple of more rootsy tracks stand out also: Wailing Souls' "War" and, perhaps the best song on the album, "Born For a Purpose," featuring Dr. Alimantado taking a break from DJing to sing this gorgeous, inspirational tune.  The early dancehall sound is rather limited -- as it relies on simple, stripped-down beats and melodies -- so most of Forward is less than dazzling, but since these cuts were so popular, it's a safe bet that they're generally solid (with the exception of General Echo's irritating "Bathroom Sex").