Reggae Gold 2000 (VP, 2000)

Solid yet fairly middle-of-the-road for the Reggae Gold series, Reggae Gold 2000 attempt to add value by throwing in a mega mix CD that, in my opinion, adds nothing unless you're really into mega mixes (which I am not).  Still, it doesn't take anything away from the non-mega mix CD, which features some quality stuff.  The first half of the album is particularly strong, as 7 of the first 9 shine, highlighted by Capleton's fun "Good in Her Clothes," Bounty Killer's controversial but ultimately insightful "Look," Morgan Heritage's modern hymn "Down By the River," and Lexxus' sparse, hardcore "Cook."  The real prime amongst these first tunes, however, are Beres Hammond's well-worth-the-wait "They Gonna Talk" and Professor Nuts' old-school-flow-meets-new-school-digital-riddim jam "Satan Strong."  The latter may get my vote for dancehall riddim of the year.  Things turn a bit southward after that, however, starting with the weepy, minimalist (with little more than a saxophone) "Psalms 23" by Buju Banton and Gramps from Morgan Heritage.  C'mon guys, you can do better than this.  Riddims begin to repeat with limited success, as evidenced by Beenie Man's decent "Ganja Farm," which rides the same energetic beat as "Satan Strong," and Wayne Wonder's "Keep Them Coming," which completely mis-uses the eerie, serious-toned hip-hop music of "Look."  Head and shoulders above the rest is Glen Washington's instant classic "One of These Days," although Baby Cham conjures up fond memories of Red Dragon with his aggressive "War Forever."  A re-visit to the Stalag 17 rhythm rounds things out in relatively stale fashion; been there, done that...several hundred times.