Level the Vibes (Pow Wow, 1995)

A superb collection of modern roots and dancehall centered around conscious lyrics, almost all of the songs here are quite good.  I say "almost" because of the inclusion of "Praise Him" by Beenie Man, a horribly bland song that strangely has found its way onto several compilations.  The tracks here range in age from 1988 to 1995, with the album's namesake, Half Pint's "Level the Vibes" being the oldest.  Half Pint has several tracks vying with him for the best song on Level the Vibes, most notably the fierce remix of Capleton's "Dem No Like We" and Brian & Tony Gold's haunting anti-Apartheid tale, "Can You."  Also flexing their respective muscles are Sophia George with "Simple," Spanner Banner with "Clean Up U Action," Sugar Moses with the not-quite-dancehall beat of "Wild West in the Ghetto," and Barrington Levy with one of his best songs ever, "Teach the Youth."