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Remix Extravaganza (BVB, 1997?) A great idea for a compilation -- hip-hop remixes of dancehall hits -- and for the most part, it's done well, although it's a bit disconcerting that despite decent packaging, there is no listing of a record label. The closest thing is the catalog number, BVBCD3408 (Oh, and it's "Made in Panama."). The partner of anonymity is often cheap production, which somewhat explains the sub-par sound quality. There is annoyingly little bass in the music. NO BASS IN HIP-HOP REGGAE??? Sacrilege to be sure, but that's the worst thing about this album. The remixes themselves are mostly well-done, the exception being the "Slow Mix" of Beenie Man's "Memories," in which the music is, well, slow. Too slow. It doesn't match the friggin' vocals. Much better are Beenie Man's "Turn Around" (though the original is hard to beat), Bounty Killer's "No Argument Pt. 2," and Bajja Jedd's "Hop Scotch," all mixed with smooth R&B rhythms (like the Gap Band's "Outstanding" or Keni Burke's "Risin' to the Top"). Turbo Belly's "Friend Me" and Lady Saw's "Stab out the Meat" meanwhile utilize nice hip-hop beats like Busta Rhymes' "Woo Ha" to good effect, but the song that made the biggest impact on me is Future Troubles' "Tale from the Crypt," a vicious track with a fierce hip-hop beat and lyrics to match -- something to get your aggressions out while stuck in traffic. All in all, this collection displays admirably the ease with which musical genres can blend. Hopefully, there will be more albums like this in the future from . . . whomever. |
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