Album: 83 Rhythm

Artistes: Various

Genre: Reggae

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Rasta music dominates the '83 Rhythm', a CD released by Greensleeves featuring the thirteen songs recorded on the rhythm.

The 83 Rhythm is a melodic reggae compilation with the best of the best of reggae artistes. Perhaps the most noted song is Queen Ifrika's hit Daddy Don't Touch Me There. Ifrika's Daddy has pivoted the rhythm into the ears of many with her haunting lyrics of incest and her encouragement to get over the past.

While Ifrika's song is a classic, there are others that are just as good but have been over shadowed by 'Daddy'. The opening track, Richie Spice's, 'A No Me Dat' easily falls into the category of second most popular. Spice gives a more mello vibe, thus managing to separate his song from others on the rhythm. When Spice sings it seems to be almost at a different speed from the others.

Other notable tunes on the rhythm are from the likes of Turbulence, with Ready Now, a love song about a love "that will never burn away." The lyrics of the song are sweet and Turbulence sounds convincingly committed to the love interest in the song.

Thematically the messages of the all the songs are uplifting, whether it is the Heights described by Chuck Fendah or the Poverty touched on by I-Octane. In an industry where the pace of the business and the music is fast, a slow steady rhythm is a gem. The rhythm itself washes over the listener in a soothing manner.

Track Listing:

1) Richie Spice - A No Me Dat

2) Spanner Banner - Roots

3) Warrior King - Love, Love

4) Bobby Tenna - Battlefield

5) Tony Rebel - Caan Go Round Good

6) Natural Black - Vulgarity

7) I-Octane - Poverty

8) Lutan Fyah - Music Is Love

9) Queen Ifrika - Daddy

10) Chuck Fenda - Heights

11) Turbulence - Ready Now

12) Teflon - Its Been A While

13) Prestige - Can't Forget

14) Kemar McGregor - '83 Riddim'

- Krista Henry