VARIOUS ARTISTS
Shark Records: In The Belly Of The Whale
(Hightone)

This originally ran in the St. Louis Post Dispatch in 1994.

HighTone Records is a relatively new label based in Oakland, CA with a firm grasp on the current sounds from Jamaica. In recent months they've released discs comprising the "Producer's Trophy" series, presenting various tracks from such labels as Jahmento Records, Roof International and the basis of this review, Shark Records.

On the back of each CD is this description: "The HighTone Producer's Trophy Series features the best, most current sounds from Jamaica's dancehalls on a label-by-label basis. Each volume highlights the output of one of Jamaica's noted producers and his label with a variety of DJs and singers. Some tracks are released here for the first time, some have been recent hit singles in Jamaica, and some are boomin' tracks that may have gone relatively unnoticed."

The compilation from Shark Records fits that description perfectly. Mark Morrison is the noted producer and does an outstanding job as the 13 tracks have a deep, full sound. Some of the artists include the obscure: Kenterious, Chopper and Gregory Isaacs sound-alike Lucan Scissors; as well as better-known artists such as Sugar Minott and the Heptones. In fact, one of the CD's best tracks is a reworking of the latter's classic, "Book Of Rules," featuring DJ Shaka Shamba.

As the liner notes state, these compilations feature the "most current sounds from Jamaica's dancehalls..." Check 'em out, starting with "SHARK RECORDS: In The Belly Of The Whale," and find out for yourself.






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