Mash up the Place! The Best of Reggae Dancehall (Rhino, 1995)

A nice mix of old school and new(er) school dancehall from the compilation king, Rhino Records.  The older material from Macka B, Tiger, Major Worries, etc. stands the test of time and actually seems fresher than the newer stuff from Jigsy King, Capleton, and Louie Culture.  The older stuff comprise the first 5 songs on the album, with the Cocoa Tea/Home T/Shabba Ranks collaboration "Who She Loves," Major Worries' timeless "Sweet Little Rose," and "Bible Reader," featuring the lyrical gymnastics of Macka B standing out.  The old school session comes to an abrupt halt with the rather generic hip-hop remix of Freddy Ranks' "Ghetto Living" and the original (read: not as good) version of Mega Banton's Smash "Sound Boy Killing."  Two potent remakes featuring singers keep the second half of the collection from going to pot (reggae pun), however: Singing Melody's "Best Friend" and young Kashief Lindo's "First Cut," whose horn-riffed rhythm is one of the all-time greats.  It's a shame that Rhino doesn't do more compilations within the world of reggae, since they show here that they are indeed capable.