Smoke the Herb (VP, 1995)

As the title implies, this collection is full of songs dedicated to "the herb" (no, not paprika). As stale a stereotype (true as it may be) as marijuana smoking in reggae is is about as stale as many of these songs sound. Dominated by a dancehall sound, these tracks aren't so much bad as they are familiar. Several times, I said to myself, "This song sounds like this other song..." This sense of musical deja vu is exacerbated by the use of The Mighty Diamonds' "Pass the Kuchie" rhythm some 4 times during this album (although Anthony Malvo & Josey Wales do put it to good use in "Sensi"), including the Diamonds' unnecessary remake with Fragga Ranks, called "Chalice in a Circle." Appropriate? Yes. Overkill? Yes. Additionally, Mikal Rose (or Michael Rose or Mykal Roze or whatever the hell his name is) chimes in with a remake of his own (well, Black Uhuru's) "Sinsemilla," called "Stalk of Sensimilla," while Capleton contributes "Chalice," which sounds much like his hit "Tour." Hmmm... The best song on this smoky compilation has to be Sanchez's "Chronic," which adds depth and emotion to the herbal songs. Also catchy is the uptempo "Sensi Ride" by Don Yute and Wayne Wonder. Hits like "Gi Mi the Weed" by Jigsy King and Bounty Killer's "Smoke the Herb" headline the album, but I have never really been impressed with either song. Though it provides a few "highs," Smoke the Herb needs to get rid of a few "weeds" to be a really good album. HA!