Kings of Reggae Volume Two (Artists Only!, 2002)

The original Kings of Reggae was an unassuming hidden gem in 2000, and Artists Only! has decided to follow the same no-frills formula for the follow-up.  Like the first volume, the sound here is laid-back, conscious digtial roots/rootsy dancehall ("You've got roots in my dancehall!" "You've got dancehall in my roots!").  Unlike the first volume, some of the songs are frankly stale.  I mean, "Key to the City" was released two years ago on Freddie McGregor's Signature album, Bushman's "Higher" was on his A Better Place album in 2000, and how old is this Dennis Brown cut???  Don't let the title "Mr. Brown" fool you; this is "I Don't Know."  You know, from his 1995 album of the same name.  Beyond these recycled tunes (as good as they might be), there are a few decent tracks -- led by Luciano's heartfelt "Visions."  "Negativity Bow" by Jimmy Riley and Richie Davis' "Centre of the War" are solid also, but I'd hesitate to call Richie Davis a "king of reggae" (same goes for Jesse Gender and Sugar Black).  Overall, Volume Two just lacks the punch of the original, due to the old songs, the re-use of rhythms within the album, and the mediocre level of material, low-lighted by Sanchez's forgettable rendition of Sisqo's "Incomplete."