Assembled by the reliable crew at VP Records, Reggae Gold is the preeminent and longest running (19 years) reggae compilation series on the planet, collecting some of the year's biggest and best singles from a wide array of artists. Unlike other comps that are all dancehall, all roots, or all dub, each sub-genre is represented here, from the rowdy opener "Jah Army" with Stephen Marley, Damien Marley, and Buju Banton, to the breezy and low-key "Pull Up" from O.G. Beres Hammond. Shabba Ranks gets busy on "None Ah Dem," Vybz Kartel goes off on "Whine (Wine)," and Mavado does his thing on the squeaky funk beat of "Peppa." On the mellower tip, check out Queen Ifrica's "Times Like These" and Alborosie's smoky closer "One Draw featuring Camila. A great, well balanced collection ideal for both casual fans and hardcore reggae fanatics.