Reggae Gold 2010

Like they do every year, the good people at VP Records sift through thousands of reggae records in search of the cream of the crop, weeding out the wack and assembling the best tracks for their annual Reggae Gold compilation. The 2010 edition is fantastic as usual, featuring big-name superstars and more obscure artists alike. A good blend of party anthems, love jams, and storytelling numbers, it's easy to just pop on and listen to all the way through. Damien Marley and Nas join forces for "As We Enter" (originally included on their excellent Distant Relatives album), Busy Signal give an update to the Commodores' early-’80s hit "Night Shift" on "Sweet Love," Vybz Kartel big-ups his favorite shoes on "Clarks," while Major Lazer combines surf guitars, equestrian sound effects, and cell phone rings on the sublimely freaky "Hold the Line" featuring Mr. Lex. Other heaters come from Ding Dong ("Holiday") and Tarrus Riley ("Love's Contagious").