The good, the bad and the reggae

 

The good, the bad and the reggae “Ansel Collins, Heartbeat Record SUGAR MIONOTT: “Inna Reggae Dance Hall, Heartbeat Records; VARIOUS ARTISTS: ‘Heartbeat Reggae, Heartbeat Records: BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO: “Ya Ya," (single) Maison de Soul/Rounder Records — The latest offerings from premier U.S. reggae outlet Heart- beat Records bring to ear what's good and bad about reggae today, inspiring both hope and ennui in a reggae listener. Veteran keyboardist Ansel Collins, who's been making music in Jami ca for 25 years, is out with a self- titled album of songs which he wrote, sang, arranged, produced, and played keyboards on. ‘Collins — who has been The ominous synth sequencer rhythms of ‘War and heavy drum machines of © It Like Me," and electronic swirls and washes of “Inna Rub a Dub" herald the spread of electronics onto the reggae dance floor. Lincoln “Sugar” Minott, with his tasty sing- ing and dub, observes this evolution with ‘’’Inna Reggae Dance Hall." Minott also appears on Heartbeat Records’ ‘Heartbeat Reggae," a compilation album featuring cuts from many of the label's top acts. Mystic man Burning Spear, dub poet Mutabaruka, and dub master Mikey Dread are joined by old star Lee Perry and newer star Gregory Isaacs, as well as lesser-knowns like Albert Griffiths and the Gladiators and Oka Onuora.