Singles buyers will be familiar with many tracks like the late Delroy Wilson's Lynch remake of Worth Your Weight In Gold: the Gussie Clarke produced title piece from his 1984 Burning Sounds LP using rhythms from 1978. Toni Stylez, who appeared on Curtis' 2006 collection The Experience, then supplies a dreamy cover of the Impressions I'm So Proud, while ex Aswad singer Brinsley Forde's 2007 cut of Bubblin (on Lynch's retread of the General rhythm) boasts lovely crisp but soft horns and a little dub mix on end.
Next we go minor key on the Baltimore-like Thinking by Tony Curtis and Angel, before Poison, the first of two helpings from Chantelle's EP. Yet Curtis can't stay out of dancehall for long and lifts the mood with UK top ten star Michie One and Mayhem mainstay Blackout JA's deejay duet over another Gussie Clarke inspired tentpole, the mighty Rumours.
Soul singer Glenn Lewis reprises his hit Don't You Forget It reggae style on 2008's bass-weighted Shank I Sheck, then it's the gruff Blackout again dueting with veteran Nadine Sutherland on the classic Brown Sugar track I'm In love With A Dreadlocks. After that comes a truly perfect pairing: an unheard Gregory only mix on Lynch's relick of Clarke's Inner City Lady base, also revived by Etana for August Town.
One of the strongest new showings is Right Here by genre spanner (and The Streets collaborator) Kevin Mark Trail. Finally Masako from Japan gives a bilingual vocal to the Worth Your Weight In Gold rhythm - bringing the set to an almost palindromic close.
Released for Valentines Day this is aimed more at the lovers album market than Curtis' usual eagled eyed legion of dancehall fans. But if you're any kind of fan of good reggae these bottom heavy, drifting platters should be on standby for romantic situations in years to come.
Angus Taylor
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