Shabba Ranks - Shabba Ranks and Friends (1999)

A rather parsimonious compilation of Ranks collaborations, at a mere 11 tracks, clocking in at under 50 minutes. However, there's no arguing with the strength of the cuts included, and half of this album would later be included on Ranks' Greatest Hits set. Amongst those picked are such classics as the rootsy "Shine Eye Gal"; the sensuous "Mr. Loverman," "House Call," and "Slow and Sexy"; the hip-hop-laced DJ duel "The Jam"; and the exuberant "Pirates Anthem." These tracks feature Mykal Rose, Chevelle Franklin, Maxi Priest, Johnny Gill, KRS One, and Cocoa Tea and Home T respectively. What had to be omitted was "Telephone Love," an international chartbuster for J.C. Lodge. The rest of this set is more hip-hop edged. "Universal Love" boasts the soul-fueled vocals of Ky-Mani, Patra adds her silky tones to the R&B-flavored "Ice Cream Love," Roy Jube and Anthony Hawthorne provide a sonorous backing for the evocative "Mr. G," while fellow DJ Chubb Rock joins in for the celebratory "Two Breddrens." As an incentive for the collectors, three of the tracks appear here as remixes, and while this is merely a taste of the DJ's best work, it's a satisfying one regardless.~Shabba Ranks and Friends Review by Jo-Ann Greene