Gargamel Music productions Jamrock Classics Vol 1 is truly one to be added to the musical collection. The CD comes with some real 'classics' in its collection. The first release in Gargamel's music new compilation series the compilation CD is a fresh mix of tunes from a diverse assortment of Jamaican talents.

The 10-track album kicks off with Buju Banton's 'Cowboys' which really hit out at the violence in the society. Buju appeals to the gangstas to put down the guns and act like conscious thinking human beings.

George Nooks is up next with Police and Thieves a Junior Murvin original and he puts his own spin on it making it one for enjoyable listening.

It's nostalgia at its best listening to the smooth voice of Pinchers in track number 3 Punk Me Out. This is a warning to all those who refuse to listening to warning. There is only one way they can end up!

Yami Bolo makes his musical contribution on Jamrock Classics with End of Day a retrospective look on life "at the end of the day only Jah love can save the day and at the end of the day only Jah love will lead the way." Listening to Yami on this one it's very easy to be lulled away with the sentiments expressed in the song.

Other tracks in the album are Lonely Night – Ghost, January Morning – Jah Cure, Goodbye to Love – Tony Curtis, Means to Survive – Lutan Fyah, and Curfew, a combination with Buju Banton featuring an upcoming artiste New Kids. Terror Fabulous' contribution is 'Ready Rock'.

Executively produced by Mark Myrie aka Buju Banton, recording was done at Gargamel studio in Kingston.

Source: Yard Flex

When Tarrus Riley released his album, 'Challenges', in 2004, there was little buzz over the talented reggae singer, who has since taken the business by storm.

However, long before Riley became the campaign face for rising roots reggae artistes, his debut album, Challenges, showed that he was way ahead of the game.

With a late start, Riley blossomed in music through his second album, Parables, which started off slowly before burning up the airwaves with the smash hit She's Royal. Not wanting to slow down, Riley and VP Records have re-released Challenges, banking on the singer's success with Parables, to gain interest in the album. The sticker on the album cover proudly proclaims 'debut album from critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Tarrus Riley.'

Challenges is a 14-track album, which includes two bonus tracks, Love Created I and Save The Children. Challenges is original in lyrics and beats. Although it is a roots reggae CD, the beats are not strictly reggae, showcasing influences from American popular culture and jazz music. Jah Will, which is upbeat and positive, is a good example of a reggae pop/indie-styled song.

Don't Give Up also has a positive feel as Riley croons, "where there's a will there's a way, this rugged old road gets rocky and I know there'll be days where you won't be so unhappy/challenges we all must face".

Some might be familiar with the opening track, Larger Than Life, which has been featured on mix CDs and played on the radio. Larger Than Life starts the CD off on a moody note with a jazzy sound, as Riley warns "when the lightening strikes, everyone runs", effectively showing that woes and tribulations can befall anyone, no matter if they believe they are larger than life.

A revival/church strain is heard on I'll Be Your Friend and The Other Half, while Rasta At The Control brings a little rub-a-dub dancehall into the already eclectic mix. All written by Riley, lyrically, the songwriter's variety of topics knows no end. From love, to society, friendship, to the representation of Rasta and social concerns, such as those in Save The Children, almost all topics are touched in some form.

Vocally, in Challenges, Riley's voice is on par, never off beat, but shows more maturity in tone than in Parables. However, for those who love Parables, Challenges will only delight. It is a CD that can be listened to from beginning to end.

Source: Jamaica Star

In the mid 90s Sizzla Kalonji (born Miguel Orlando Collins on April 17, 1976 in St. Mary, Jamaica) started to gain attention from reggae connoisseurs with a handful of strong 7" singles and the Phillip 'Fatis' Burrell produced debut album "Burning Up". Soon after the turban-clad chanter established his name as one of the hottest deejays in circulation with two phenomenal conscious albums, "Praise Ye Jah" (again for producer Phillip 'Fatis' Burrell) and the Bobby Digital produced "Black Woman & Child", both released in 1997. To call his output in the years since then prolific would be an understatement. Over the past twelve years he has released approx. 50 full length albums (not counting compilations and combinations with other artists) and countless singles. Thus it's almost impossible for a newcomer to know where to start buying a Sizzla album, that is, until now, as Greensleeves Records this very fine best of compilation "The Journey ~ The Very Best Of".

A true collection of hits from every period of his career so far, it opens with one of Sizzla's biggest and strongest his "One Of Those Days (Dry Cry)" over 'Queen Majesty' from 2003 for Bobby 'Digital' Dixon, followed by one of the earliest tunes gaining attention, "Praise Ye Jah" for Fattis' Xterminator from 1997. "The Solution" over Big League's 'Paradise'-riddim, "Good Ways" over Brick Wall's relick of Alton Ellis' Studio One classic 'Breaking Up' a.k.a. 'Never Give Up'-riddim from 1998 and the scorcher "Thank You Mama" over the 'One To One' also for Digital B from 2003. More recent is "Africa Prepare" over the Lee Perry 'Black Board'-relick for Frenchie's Maximum Sound from 2007 and Sizzla's take on Don Corleon's very successful 'Drop Leaf' "Be Strong" still is as impressive as "Really And Truly" across 'Natural Mystic' for 'Bulby' and Fatta's Fat Eyes from 2006 and from the same year "One Love" across Black Uhuru's 'I Love King Selassie'-riddim for Lloyd 'King Jammy' James.

The Don Corleon produced R&B ballad "Give Me A Try" from the 2003 by Don Corleon produced controversial "Rise To The Occasion" album is followed by "Haven't I Told You" over the great 'I Swear' a.k.a. 'Fifth Element' from 2004 and the title track of his strong 2006 album "Ain't Gonna See Us Fall". "Like Mountains" is one of the oldest tunes recordest for the Fire House Crew followed by "Rise To The Occasion" and last year's "Show More Love" across Richard Cameron's 'Africa'-riddim. The beautiful "Thanks And Praise" across Christopher Birch' strong roots 'Cry Baby'-riddim from 2005 is then followed by one of the earliest efforts for Bobby Digital, the beautiful "Love Is Devine" over Half Pint's 'Hold On'-riddim (re-used for a whole selection of 7"s in 2005 by Bobby Digital) and "Where Are You Running To", an almost non-dancehall groove, Sizzla singing very melodic and deejaying in a very laid-back style from 2005's again by Don Corleon produced "Soul Deep" album.

"Rastafari Teach I Everything" was in 2001 the title-track of yet another very strong collection for Fattis and the great duet with Luciano "In This Time", by far the strongest track of his less impressive 1999 Xterminator release "Royal Son Of Ethiopia" are followed by the despite being 12 years ago recorded still extremely strong title track of this first Bobby Digital album "Black Woman & Child", that concludes this impeccable collection of Sizzla hits, with which Greensleeves Records in my opinion have truly compiled a Sizzla collection for those just getting into this music but as well for those wanting to hear Sizzla's biggest tunes without having to put several CDs or 7"s in or on their equipment as well. Compared to earlier Sizzla best of collections this is by far the superior one truly containing all killer no filler material.