Reggae and hip-hop grew up alongside each other, with reggae being the more consistent innovator. The first DJ battle occurred in Jamaica in the 1950s and from that base gave hip-hop much of its attitude and form. In Soul Jazz's compilation Nice Up the Dance
, hip-hop's influence on dancehall reggae is shown in both the production and lyrical delivery. Kenny Dope
and J-Live
make appearances, but the album is devoted to dancehall sounds coming out of Jamaica that are not quite crossover hits but definitely tinged by American hip-hop. Cutty Ranks
' "Who Say Me Done," Dawn Penn
's "No No No," and Tenor Saw
's "Ring the Alarm [Hip Hop Mix]" are all big tunes that creep into hip-hop sets unnoticed. The real gems on the album are the ones that are unapologetically Jamaican. Pompidoo
's "Synthesizer Voice" is a hilarious exercise in vocoder magic. The moaning and groaning resemble throat singing, but with beatbox drums perfect for the dancehall. Singer Blue, riding the Dr. Dre
riddim, blends hip-hop production with reggae vocals and gives the album its best track. It doesn't have the hokiness of previous rap-dancehall collaborations like Run-D.M.C.
and Yellowman
's "Roots, Rap, Reggae." In typical Soul Jazz style, they opt for Sean Paul
's treatment of the playground riddim rather than making the obvious choice of Beenie Man
's "Who Am I." If taking second best was a priority, Mad Cobra
on the playground riddim would have filled the spot with a rougher sound.- Matt Whalley
Tracklist:
01. Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez Featuring Screechy Dan - Boomin' In Ya Jeep (4:36)
02. Cutty Ranks - Who Say Me Done (3:27)
03. Ms. Thing - Get That Money (3:55)
04. J-Live - Satisfied (4:38)
05. Pompidoo - Synthesizer (4:44)
06. Tenor Saw - Ring The Alarm (Hip Hop Mix) (3:07)
07. Singer Blue - If I Know Jah (3:36)
08. Sean Paul - Infiltrate (3:37)
09. Chinafrica - Fuss Fuss (4:03)
10. Ward 21 - Petrol (3:34)
11. Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez Featuring Shaggy - Gunshot (3:55)
12. Dawn Penn - No No No (3:29)
13. Chaka Demus & Pliers - The Boom (3:45)
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