EASY STAR VOLUME TWO                                                                                                    DANCEHALL CULUTRE

Reviewed by Steve Serpiente

Although Easy Star Records' reputation as one of America's premier reggae labels is built on a solid foundation of modern roots recordings (ie the Meditations' Ghetto Knowledge) and crucial reissues of rare 1970's classics (ie Sugar Minott's Ghetto-ology + Dub),  the release of Easy Star Volume Two Dancehall Culture establishes Easy Star as an emerging force in the dancehall arena.

Showcasing major players like Luciano, Anthony B, Beres Hammond, Half Pint, Frankie Paul, Marcia Griffiths, Sister Nancy and Triston Palma riding original Easy Star riddims, the disc collects several Easy Star singles which were previously available only on limited edition 7" vinyl. 

Luciano, Anthony B, the Meditations, Rob Symeonn and Triston Palma all blaze up the Thai Stick riddim. While Luciano's "Hopes on High" is a smooth spiritual number with sweet vocals and uplifting lyrics typical of Jah Messenjah's works, Anthony B delivers biting social-political commentary about Babylon's heedless sheep on "Third Eye Blind" in his trademark caustic style. The Meditations, the roots harmony group who recorded their first hits in the mid 1970's, sound as fresh as ever on "Run Away Heathen." Up and coming singer Rob Symeonn checks in with the encouraging "Keep on Trying," and Triston Palma rounds out the riddim with his hit "Two Roads." 

The energetic Pick Up riddim is the one which propelled Easy Star into the straight-up dancehall market. The lead single on the Pick Up riddim is an all star effort called "God Love" featuring Luciano, Beres Hammond, Triston Palma, Marcia Griffiths, Michigan (of Michigan and Smiley fame), Delly Ranks and Courtney Melody. Half Pint kicks in the catchy "Love Potion Number 9," and Anthony B chants "Give me what is rightfully mine" as he condemns abortion and espouses Rastafarian ideals in "Love So Divine." The lesser known but equally competent Mojah, Dollarman and Guyanese offer up "Search," "Don't Wanna Leave" and "Hit Tune" over the riddim, respectively.

The more laid back and, thus, appropriately titled Cool Down riddim was inspired by the mighty Roots Radics who ruled reggae as the top backing band in Jamaica in the early 1980's. Who better to ride a relaxed riddim than dancehall veterans Frankie Paul and Tony Tuff? Paul contributes "Just One Moment Away," in which his crooning, just as the riddim itself, comes off as vintage and contemporary at the same time. Tuff, a seasoned singer whose earlier work can be heard on Easy Star's releases African Brothers Want Some Freedom and Sugar Minott's Hidden Treasure Volumes 1 & 2, laments the psychological trappings of materialism in this reworking of his "Wanty Wanty." Sister Nancy, known for her madly popular cut on the Bam Bam riddim, voices "A Fool Say in His Heart" over a somewhat dubbed out version of the riddim. Rising star Minx rides an extended mix of Cool Down on "Jah Breathe Life Inna Me."

The CD - Easy Star's 10th release - concludes with a dub version of the Cool Down riddim and two dub mixes of the Thai Stick riddim.

While Easy Star breaks into new territory with this dancehall disc, the label is also finishing an unorthodox and highly intriguing recording - Dub Side of the Moon, a reggae version of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Roots fans can also look forward to a compilation of Linval Thompson produced material from the 1980's.

Contact reggae addict Steve Serpiente @ serpiente97@yahoo.com