VARIOUS ARTISTS
Real Sex 2000 (VP Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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While the 14 tracks on this disc are credited to the various vocalists, puting it in the "Various Artists" bin, it's really the work of Richard "Shams" Browne, who constructed the riddims, played the music and lined up the performers for one of the finest riddim discs I've heard in a good long while.

Since riddim discs are a mainstay of the dancehall reggae style, and since slackness has been a main component of dancehall from day one, and since the riddims on Real Sex 2000 are titled Intercourse and Orgasm, one would naturally expect slackness to abound. Hopefully those with that expectation will not be disappointed when it's unfulfilled. Some of the cuts here are downright conscious, and when the mood shifts to more carnal realms genuine sensuality generally wins out over prurient slackness.

The selection of the performers is outstanding, though, and the beats are terrific, and there's a bonus disc that could stand on its own. The bonus CD is a 70+ minute megamix culled from the cuts that comprise Real Sex 2000. If it wasn't labeled that way, the actual release could be considered a 14 track sampler of the source material for the megamix. Either way, you get two discs full of terrific dancehall material. This is a first rate party package.

Track List:

Sean Paul & Mr. Vegas/Tiger Bone * Gabriel/Mi Sick * Frankie Sly/Papa Proud * Spragga Benz/Elum * Beenie Man/Damn!! * T.O.K./Bad Man Anthem * Elephant Man/Hurt Dem * Chico/Nah Support Dem * Lexxus (Mr. Lex)/Full Hundred * T.O.K./Ginseng * Tanto Metro & Devonte/Suzie * Mr. Vegas/Girls Time * Ras Moses & Ricky Rudy/Circumstances * Buccaneer/Slow Motion

© 2001 - Shaun Dale