Strictly the Best Volume 18 (VP, 1996)

The Strictly the Best volumes focusing on singers continue to outshine the DJ volumes (in my mind, at least), and Volume 18 is about as good as they come.  If there was any doubt as to the quality of the material here, the first 6 tracks put that to rest.  Beres Hammond provides an anthem for anyone who's ever reached that marvelous point in a post-relationship relationship where you realize that "I'm over you; let's call it a day. I've got news for you: I'm glad we're through. Hip, hip, hooray!"  Dennis Brown meanwhile shows that he's still got it on "Hit & Run," and Mikey Spice contributes the most oddly titled spiritual tune of the year, "Alli Alli Ho" (no, not "alley ho").  Several remakes pop up, all of which are well done.  The first -- Pam Hall's rendition of Candi Stanton's "Young Hearts Run Free" -- is outstanding.  Cocoa Tea and Cutty Ranks meanwhile take on Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain" with confidence and succeed.  Ambelique comes through with two cover songs, one of the unlikely "Penny Lover" by Lionel Richie and one an inspired adaptation of Sly Dunbar's "Unmetered Taxi" instrumental, called simply "Taxi."  The second half of Volume 18 provides another decent remake, Marcia Griffiths and Mikey Spice's lovers version of Patti Labelle's "If Only You Knew," but this half of the album is more notable for its inclusion of a couple of non-digital, more rootsy cuts: "Feel Secure" by Freddie McGregor and Israel Vibration at their best on "Rude Boy Shufflin."  Everton Blender's "Lift Up Your Head" only intensifies the brief yet rejuvenating rootsiness of this album, dampened ever so slightly by the cheesy crossover pop hit "That Girl" by Maxi "I used to sing reggae" Priest and Shaggy.