A Party of Dubbers and Toasters (Cleopatra, 1997)

Along with the spectacular Dub Xperience and the abysmal In Dub Daze, this album forms the On-U Sound Box, its quality falling somewhere in between the two.  Like its two siblings, A Party of Dubbers and Toasters collects together early '80s (this one '81-'84) On-U Sound recordings that aren't strictly dub or toasting (although most of Adrian Sherwood's productions exude a "dub sound"), alternating between dub, roots singing, and early dancehall-styled toasting.  Also like the other compilations, the best songs here come courtesy of Creation Rebel -- who contribute the solid tracks "Last Sane Dream," "A Reasoning," "Ethos Design," "No Peace," and "Rebel Party" -- and Singers & Players -- who throw in the surprisingly upbeat, jazzy Prince Far I-led "Dog Park" and the rootsy singing of "Striving."  The remaining cuts are either too bland or -- in the case of those performed by Playgroup and Voice of Authority -- too experimental.  These two acts chime in with songs that can't readily be identified as reggae.  Instead, they are cheesy funk/New Wave hybrids that go nowhere (particularly the sloppy "Slipped"), a formula that sank In Dub Daze and which brings down A Party of Dubbers and Toasters somewhat, although it still manages to come up with some worthwhile moments.