Trials and Crosses: Tribute to Nitty Gritty (VP, 1993)

Nitty Gritty, Tenor Saw, and King Kong all were flourishing singers in the early days of digital dancehall (mid-'80s), each with an airy, nasal twang and less-than-classic singing voice that made them sound similar, somewhere between Johnny Osbourne and Eek-A-Mouse.  Tenor Saw had probably the biggest impact of the 3, if for nothing else than for his classic "Ring the Alarm," but Nitty Gritty had a grassroots following as well, his most notable hit (and the best track on this "best of" compilation) perhaps being "Good Morning Teacher," which slows down the well-worn "Bam Bam" riddim (also used on "Ring the Alarm") to a leisurely, gradual rocking pace.  The funky synthesized adaptation of the nursery rhyme "Brown Girl in the Ring" and the booming dancehall sound of "Run Down the World" also don't disappoint. Beyond those, support is found in the popular "Hog inna Minty" -- which utilizes the early digital rhythm Johnny Osbourne rode on "People Are You Ready" -- as well as "Bangarang," "Gimme Some of Your Sum'thing," and the title cut, but while it provides some nostalgic early dancehall vibes, Trials and Crosses is noticeably less exhilarating and innovative than Tenor Saw's Fever.