Dancehall 101, Vol. 6 CD

The defiant, in-your-face outlook of dancehall from the late-'80s onwards is alive and well on DANCEHALL 101, VOLUME 6, which boasts recordings by major dancehall figures such as Buju Banton ("Have Fi Get Yu Tonight"), Shabba Ranks ("Trailer Load a Girls"), Nardo Ranks ("Burrup"), Tiger ("Ram Dance Hall"), Beenie Man ("Big Up and Trust") and Sean Paul ("Infiltrate"). In fact, the lineup on this compilation often reads like a who's who of dancehall. There's some aggression on VOLUME 6, but there is also a fair amount of diversity. General Degree's hilarious early-'90s hit "Granny" epitomizes the goofier side of dancehall, while Panamanian toaster El General treads Spanish-language territory with "Te Ves Buena" ("You Look Good"). Most of the dancehall stars on VOLUME 6 are toasting over hard, hip-hop-minded electronic tracks, but on Reggie Stepper's "Drum Pan Sound" and Ninjaman's "Test the High Power," one encounters softer dubwise-style tracks that recall the days of U-Roy and I-Roy; those tunes are a perfect blend of gruff dancehall-style toasting and dubwise-style rhythms. VP Records' DANCEHALL 101 compilations have been perfect for both novices and seasoned dancehall listeners, and VOLUME 6 is no exception.

2009 sophomore album from the French Grindcore madmen. Moshroom contains all the elements that have made Infest royalty in the Metal world: blast beats, brutal vocals and violent riffs. The album contains 20 tracks and was mastered at the famous Cutting Room studio in Sweden (In Flames/Rammstein). Metal Age.

Photographers: Beth Lesser; Marlon "Ajamu" Myrie; Brian Jahn.