Reggae Gold 2005 (VP, 2005)

I've been a big critic of the quality of the Reggae Gold releases since the late '90s, but after last year's strong volume and now this year's even stronger edition, this groundbreaking series has hit its stride again.  As you listen to wicked track after wicked track on Reggae Gold 2005, you have to wonder if the album can maintain its torrid pace.  Well, it can't, but for the first 14 songs, it sizzles with energy and attitude.  Only the last four cuts -- derivative dancehall numbers that aren't representative of the talents of Elephant Man, Sizzla, and the recently missing-in-action Lexxus -- lag.  The rest, though, is pure fire. The opening barrage is filled with biting dancehall cuts like Capleton's transcendent "Or Wah," Sean Paul's "Straight Up!," (riding the same riddim used on Capleton's "Who Yu Callin' Nigga"), and a pair of '90s-styled hardcore hits, Assassin's "As a Man" and Buju Banton's distinctly non-rootsy "Ride This."  From there, the album shifts into lovers mode, with Jah Cure's heartfelt "Longing For" (also on Reggae Hits 34), Beres Hammond's smash "Love Mood," and Brit Bitty McLean's dreamy rock steady throwback cover of David Ruffin's "Walk Away From Love."  The roots portion kicks off with one of the hottest artists out there, I Wayne and his vital "Lava Ground," then heaps on the righteous, Nyabinghi anthem "Hail to the King" from up-and-coming sing-jay Fantan Mojah and "Superior," the cornerstone of the Superior Riddim showcase and the latest of a string of great tracks from the king of German reggae, Gentleman.  From there, the album settles into the previously mentioned dancehall mediocrity, cementing the unusually strict (planned?) segregation of sub-genres on the album. I guess this is good for listeners yearning for a particular mood; no fast-forwarding needed.  The diversity of sound on 2005's edition is something that previous Reggae Golds have lacked, and something that makes this the best in the series since 1995.