Platinum Reggae Volume Three (Artists Only!, 2000)

Volume 3 of this fledgling series (that I assume aims to be more valuable than VP's Reggae Gold series) brings together an impressive cast to this solid if not overwhelming compilation.  With star power like Sizzla, Luciano, Morgan Heritage, Freddie McGregor, Yami Bolo, and Jahmali, most of the tracks are likely to be pretty good -- which they are -- although not many truly jumped out at me.  The best tunes here come courtesy of Freddie McGregor, whose cover of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" has a classic (although Diamond-esque) sound, Yami Bolo, whose "Conqueror" begs the question, "When's he gonna put out a new album?", and the team of Willie One Blood and Tony Rebel, who remake Tenor Saw's "Lots of Sign" with a funky, vibrant live-band panache on "Life Is Like a Road."   Most of the rest is decent, but not necessarily examples of the artists' best work.  Jah Mason is the only relative newcomer here, and he manages to handle himself admirably on the semi-operatic "High Grade Man."  Sizzla is predictably solid on his energetic dancehall ditty "Thou Shalt Not Kill," while Tanto Metro & Devonte's "Picture You" is catchy fun, and Luciano's "Black Man King" and Jahmali's "Oh Jah" are righteous and solid.