Pure Reggae Volume 1 (Pump, 1996)

An enjoyable, eclectic compilation featuring equal parts dancehall and lovers rock (unlike many modern collections that seem to focus inordinately on dancehall DJs).   Both types of music represent themselves well, with excellent dancehall tracks like General Degree's irresistible "When I Hold You Tonight," Red Dragon's searing "Explode Gal," and Buju Banton's "Bad Boys."  The lovers tracks are even stronger, though, with a buttery horn-filled rhythm carrying both Leroy Mafia's hit "You Lie" and Mike Anthony's "This Time," "True Friends" by Neville Morrison, Maxine Harvey's nice cover of Deborah Cox's "Sentimental," Peter Hunnigale's "Candy," and Pat Kelly's "I've Got This Feeling."   The remaining cuts fight to pull their own weight, but most are OK, save for the horribly pop-oriented dancehall ditty "Sweetest T'ing" by British DJ Top Cat, which features some sort of dance-y Jackson 5-esque beat.

Track Listing
1. Old Dog -- Beenie Man
2. Benz & Bimma -- Bounty Killer
3. Sexy Lover -- Queen Yemisi & Merciless
4. Candy -- Peter Hunnigale
5. You Lie -- Leroy Mafia
6. True Friends -- Neville Morrison
7. Exhale -- Ann & Sonia
8. Jah Never Fail I -- Mikey Spice
9. Bad Boys -- Buju Banton
10. Happy Home -- Sylvia Tella
11. Explode Gal -- Red Dragon
12. Girls Way -- Beenie Man
13. When I Hold You Tonight -- General Degree
14. Sentimental -- Maxine Harvey
15. This Time -- Mike Anthony
16. We Can Work It Out -- Jane Lee Davis & Peter Hunnigale
17. Not Gon' Cry -- Pure Silk
18. Let It Flow -- Nikki Bert
19. Sweetest T'ing -- Top Cat
20. I've Got This Feeling -- Pat Kelly