Strictly The Best 2011

"Strictly The Best 44"

1. 'Shaka Zulu Pickney' by Tarrus Riley

2. 'Pot Still Haffi Bubble' by Queen Ifrica

3. 'People Talk' by Etana

4. 'Number One' by Gyptian

5. 'Still In Love' by Alaine & Christopher Martin

6. 'Pure As The Nile' by I Wayne

7. 'Firework' by Tessanne Chin

8. 'Driving Me Insane' by Chino featuing Denyque

9. 'Summer Love' by Denyque

10. 'If I Could Fly' by Tifa

11. 'This Time' by Jamelody

12. 'I Am Missing You' by Beres Hammond

13. 'A House Is Not A Home' by Freddie McGregor

14. 'Never Leave I' by Tarrus Riley

15. 'The Sytem' by Romain Virgo

16. 'Yap Yap' by Richie Spice

"Strictly The Best 45"

1. 'One By One' by Laza Morgan featuring Mavado

2. 'Love My Life' by Demarco

3, 'Summertime' by Vybz Kartel

4. 'Ravin' by Popcaan

5. 'Let's Go' by Beenie Man

6. 'Final Destination' by Mavado

7. 'Every Gyal' by Chipmunk featuring Mavado

8. 'Hot Gyal' by Gyptian

9. 'Got 2 Luv Ya' by Sean Paul featuring Alexis Jordan

10. 'Swaggin [Too Bad For You]' by Tifa, Future Fambo & Wayne Marshall

11. 'Dancehall Duppy' by Tony Matterhorn

12. Cigarette Murder' by Twins of Twins

13. 'Ready Fi Dem' by Bounty Killer

14. 'God Nah Sleep' by Chino

15. 'Wanted [Just Ain't The Same]' by Damian Marley

So! We're getting down to the point where we're wrapping up the year and what remains is (a lot of stuff) a few very regular and scheduled album releases. Of course first on my mind is the next release from UK Reggae great, Lloyd Brown, which will apparently not be arriving until February (which is fine!), but probably getting a bit more in the way of attention from others will be the latest edition(s) of one of the signature series from VP Records, "Strictly The Best".

'Shaka Zulu Pickney' by Tarrus Riley [#44]

This year we deal with #'s 44 & 45 and (obviously) they maintain the trend of the series to offer a double-release. As usual, the even-numbered installment is the more 'mature' of the two, featuring a mix of Lover's Rock and Roots Reggae. It's odd-numbered counterpart is for the Dancehall heads (that's wrong - It's for the casual Dancehall crowd). One of the main attractions is always the cover art in this series and while, technically, it doesn't appear as good as other years (and this is coming from someone who couldn't draw a semi-straight line with a ruler) I like it! It's kind of cartoonish. As for the music (see note) - It's pretty much what you would expect. The series, generally more DEEP fan friendly than it's 'sibling', "Reggae Gold", features a mix of well known (i.e. WORN) tunes alongside more recent/hard to find on CD tracks.

What stands out for me is the return of Jamelody as well as Beres Hammond and Freddie McGregor on #44 (hopefully they both lift us all up albums in 2012). And I'm loving seeing Beenie Man and Jr. Gong on #45.

'Let's Go' by Beenie Man [#45]

Most tentatively, "Strictly The Best" #'s 45 & 45 are set to arrive in stores on November 22.

{Note: Not only are tracklists and release dates tentatively scheduled - They may actually be COMPLETELY incorrect}