Urban Beat Reggae (Heartbeat, 1996)

As opposed to, um, "rural beat" reggae, this compilation brings together a nice batch of hip-hop reggae songs and remixes. "Hip-hop reggae" is more of a general term than an accurate one to describe these tracks, for they range from the straight hip-hop beat of Nardo Ranks' "Cool and Humble" -- a good song ruined by an annoying cowboy yodeling chorus -- to the house/dance beat of the abysmal "Spend the Night" by Richie B to the sharp, jazzy "Rude Boys (Back in Town)" by Michael Rose to the straight dancehall of the Meditations' "Choice of Colors." The best songs here seem to be the ones that tone down the hip-hop beats a bit, opting for a smoother, more mellow "urban" feel, such as "Rude Boys," Garnett Silk's remake of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly," Everton Blender's impeccable "Lift Your Head Up [European Mix]," and Sister Carol's sultry-rhythmed "Blackman Time [Street Mix]."  These latter two have remixes included on the album as well, with Sister Carol's song mixed with a faster, funkier beat to great effect (although she should avoid rapping and stick to chatting), and Everton Blender's song slowed and stripped down with backing music composed of just strings, piano, and an occasional saxophone.  A couple of R&B remakes by the often under-whelming Frankie Paul aren't bad, either: R Kelly's "Sexy Thing (You Got the Body)" and Glenn Jones' "Here I Come Again."  Although not necessarily for reggae purists, such hybrids show the value of experimentation in reggae, the kind of experimentation that led from ska to rock steady to reggae to dub to dancehall.