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VOL 3. NO. 9 Monday, October 25 - Sunday, November 6, 2004
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The Reggae Year in Review
By Ryan A. MacMICHAEL
Like every other music journalist out there, I like to take my last column of the year to take a look back at the previous 12 months and recall the best the music industry had to offer. There seemed to be more compilations this year than in any year past, but it was the solo and group releases that really made this year a good one for reggae music.

BEST NEW REGGAE ALBUMS

Capleton: "More Fire"
Another wonderful effort from the always hot Capleton, this is a great collection of conscious tunes with some of the best dancehall production of the year.

Culture: "Humble African"
Joseph Hill and crew return with their best album in years and one of 2000's most moving, inspirational discs. "Rolling Stone" is one of the year's best cuts and the rest of this album is nothing short of outstanding. "Humble African" shows that a move to VP Records may have been just the motivation that Culture needed.

Ossie Dellimore: "Freedom's Journal"
This debut LP from St. Martin-born Ossie Dellimore is quite a big step, as he released it on his own label, AB Records. From the remake of `Time Has Come' to his chant against Babylon, `The System,' "Freedom's Journal" shows that Dellimore is one singer to keep a close eye on.

Johnny Dread: "Vision Volume 1"
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise that arrived in my mailbox was this release from roots singer Johnny Dread. Because of Cuban background, Dread is able to give a unique perspective with some very deep tracks like `Shoo Be Do,' `Comin Up,' and `Rolla Coaster.'

Sizzla: "Words of Truth"
Sizzla heated tings up once again with his wicked "Words of Truth," providing introspection, hip-hop crossover, and mash it up dancehall styles, resulting in his best all-around effort yet.

BEST DUB ALBUM

Various: "a.k.a. DUB: the second chapter"
There's not nearly enough dub being released now compared to just five years ago, but Lush Records out of Sweden released this wicked collection of bass heavy dub. Groups like Hyrdoponics, the Bush Chemists, and The Vision provide a wide range of styles that's bound to please.

BEST RE-RELEASES/NEW RELEASES OF OLD MATERIAL

Big Youth: "Natty Universal Dread"
How could one not include this wonderful collection just released by Blood & Fire? This three-disc set provides a great retrospective of DJ Big Youth's work from 1973-1979. Clearly a trendsetter, Youth delivers big time here with more than 50 tracks.

Black Uhuru: "Live 84"
This collection of never-before-released live cuts from 1984 is essential for Black Uhuru/Michael Rose fans. Covering all the hits from `Shine Eye Girl' to `I Love King Selassie' to `Youths of Eglington,' this is not one to miss.

Cornell Campbell: "I Will Not Remove"
This outstanding Blood & Fire roots re-release covers 1975-1980 and includes 11 solid tracks from the original Gorgon.

Various: "Hidden Treasures 2"
More great material from Sugar Minott's Black Roots label, re-released by Easy Star. As good as the first entry in the series.

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