Strictly The Best 63

"Strictly The Best 63" [VP Records]

1. 'Driver' by Romain Virgo

2. 'One More Time' [Don Corleone Remix] by Jah Cure

3. 'Don't Say You Love Me' by Aza Lineage

4. 'Soulmate' by Lutan Fyah

5. 'Open Heart' by Jah9

6. 'Nah Sell Out' featuring Kabaka Pyramid by Alborosie

7. 'Cyaah Done' featuring Iwaata & Country Hype by Konshens

8. 'MUGGER' by Intence

9. 'Happy Living' by Jahshii

10. 'Only Room For Two' by Gyptian

11. 'Gyal Dem Time' featuring TeeJay by Shaggy

12. 'It's Guaranteed' Remix featuring Bounty Killer & Busy Signal by Christopher Martin

Okay so, while we aren't too sure who's showing up these days and, if they are, when exactly they'll be arriving, I am damn pleased to say that we definitely are getting a shot of one of the most reliable compilation series in... in ever, as the latest installment of one of Reggae's most reliable sets, "Strictly The Best 63", is set to reach in just a few weeks' time. VP Records delivers as always in a time where "STB" remains quite consistent, having missed only one year in recent times, by my count [2021], despite one of the label's other large annual releases, "Reggae Gold" (which just may be the genre's most identifiable collection), being a bit more of a mystery in terms of scheduling these days. I took a quick look at the tracklist of "STB63" and a couple of things that I saw caught my attention and did so in a good way. 

The first thing that I noticed was that they kept it simple. You get a dozen tracks and in those tunes (and the second thing that grabbed me) you get a very healthy mixture of artists and styles. Compilations and albums in general can be too damn long at at times and I was very happy that they chose to keep "STB63" on the more 'cozy' side of things. As for the sounds you will hear here, how about this: You get people such as the incomparable Jah9, Lutan Fyah, Alborosie, sitting Reggae Grammy holder, Kabaka Pyramid and Jah Cure, then we make room for the likes of Romain Virgo, Christopher Martin, Gyptian and Aza Lineage and not to be excluded, we'll also cover the Dancehall with Bounty Killer, Shaggy, Konshens, Busy Signal and Intence (or whatever they call that stuff Intence makes) ('Mugger' is not Dancehall. I don't care anyone says) (not saying it's bad, IT IS TERRIBLE, but it isn't Dancehall).  So the vibes on this one are HEALTHY to say the least. "STB63" also boasts of four exclusive tracks, including efforts  from the Fyah (a new Lutan Fyah tune??? Works for me!) and Aza Lineage as well as several selections which have never previously been available on disc (if you're old as hell, like me, and're still interested in prehistoric physical media) (just make a contraction out of anything. What the hell is "and're"??) (Andre who???). So, it seems as if they've taken great care with assembling this year's edition of the esteemed series.

How well does it work? Well, you can join me in figuring that all out when "Strictly The Best 64" releases on the 15th of December from VP Records.... but I can tell you it's probably going to be pretty good.