Rush Dem (Signet, 1995)

A seemingly random collection of hip-hop reggae that I just happened upon one day, Rush Dem turns out to be an excellent choice.  The beats featured range from old school to (relatively) new, but all are well-selected and produced.  The most popular track here by far is the remix of Capleton's classic "Tour," built on the beat from Slick Rick's "Children's Story," but most of the other tunes are similarly solid.  Beenie Man's disco-like "Sunshine," Shinehead's "Smoothamuffin" -- using some of the melody from the Floaters' "Float On" -- and Luciano & City Cat's "Show Love" are all cool, relaxed tunes that strike gold.  Luciano is also found on his duet with Shag-E Wondah (not to be confused with Shaggy) "The Program," a slow, atmospheric warning to rude boys, featuring gloomy bell tolls that make it perhaps the best tune on the album.  The title track, however, is also very good and is the complete opposite of "The Program," being a high-energy party romp.  Meanwhile, Terry Ganzie's "Big Heavy Man," Ed Robinson's Ini Kamoze-like (or is Ini Kamoze Ed Robinson-like?) "Watch Ya' Flex," and Galaxy P's "Woman, Yes" are all nice additions.