Real Authentic Sampler, Vol. 3 (1994)

This most recent Ras sampler spotlights current and contemporary reggae, with a good mix of styles. The hot team of Chaka Demus & Pliers are dominant on "Ruff This Year," while Tony Rebel sounds far more interesting on "Firing Strong" than on his Chaos LP, and Israel Vibration and Delroy Wilson bring veteran skills and vintage sounds to the program on their cuts. Dean Fraser's version of "Unforgettable" comes dangerously close to background music, but J.C. Lodge's "Love You To The Max" has a good arrangement and nice ... Read More

This most recent Ras sampler spotlights current and contemporary reggae, with a good mix of styles. The hot team of Chaka Demus & Pliers are dominant on "Ruff This Year," while Tony Rebel sounds far more interesting on "Firing Strong" than on his Chaos LP, and Israel Vibration and Delroy Wilson bring veteran skills and vintage sounds to the program on their cuts. Dean Fraser's version of "Unforgettable" comes dangerously close to background music, but J.C. Lodge's "Love You To The Max" has a good arrangement and nice rhythmic underpinning, while Cocoa Tea does what's expected on "Kingston Hot." Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown are creditable, but far from their peak, and Yellowman is thankfully more lyrically restrained than usual on "Reggae On The Move." ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi Read Less