This special edition of Strictly The Best celebrates VP Records 35th Anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, VP Records commissioned renowned artist Michael Thompson (Freestylee) to illustrate the cover art and CD booklet with a 2-page inlay highlighting the label’s legacy and its 35th year in business since the founder’s Vincent and Patricia Chin moved its operations from Jamaica to the United States.
This year, each volume also features double discs – one filled with the latest trendsetting hits plus a bonus disc highlighting the series’ top vintage selections over the years.
Volume 50’s first disc of the roots and lover’s rock collection contains the top tunes from rising stars (Toian’s Kingston Town, Ikaya’s “Ugly Girl,” Christopher Martin’s “Steppin ‘Razor,” Duane Stephenson’s “Cool Runnings” and Romain Virgo’s “Stay With Me”) and hits from the genre’s hottest singers (Etana’s “Trigger,” Jah Cure’s “Life We Live,” Maxi Priest’s “Gravity” and Gyptian’s “Majestic Love” featuring Estelle). The bonus disc features classics from reggae icons including Jacob Miller’s “Keep On Knocking,” Half Pint’s “Greetings,” Dennis Brown’s “Sitting & Watching,” Beres Hammond’s “Tempted To Touch” and Tarrus Riley’s “She’s Royal”.
In the dancehall arena, Volume 51 includes the newest hits from Busy Signal including “Money Flow” and “Greetings (Ribidibi).” Other highlights are Spice’s “Like A Man,” Major Lazer’s “Come On To Me” featuring Sean Paul, Mavado’s “Give It All To Me” featuring Nikki Minaj and Elephant Man’s “Shmoney Dance.” The bonus disc has legendary dancehall tunes spanning the entire era – including Eek-A-Mouse ‘s “A Wah Do Dem,” Yellowman’s “I’m Getting Married,” Ini Kamoze’s “Hot Stepper,” Buju Banton’s “Massa God World A Run,” Beenie Man’s “Romie” and Sean Paul’s “Clap Your Hands Now (Get Busy remix)” featuring Fat Man Scoop.
Stream select songs on Soundcloud: smarturl.it/STB5051SC
Check out the STB playlist on YouTube: smarturl.it/STB5051YT
TRACK LISTINGS:
STB Vol. 50
Disc 1
- Life We Live – Jah Cure
- Real Know Real-D Major
- Steppin ‘Razor – Christopher Martin
- Cool Runnings – Duane Stephenson
- Trigger – Etana
- Love Me – J Boog
- Majestic Love-Gyptian featuring Estelle
- Kingston Town – Toian
- Stay With Me-Romain Virgo
- Ugly Girl – Ikaya
- Gravity-Maxi Priest
- Keep It Like It Is-Aysha Loren
- Love Is Not Blind – Queen Ifrica
- Don’t Mean A Thing-Jemere Morgan
- Ride Di Riddim – Shuga
- One Wrong One White – Jahlil
Disc 2
1. Keep On Knocking-Jacob Miller
2. Sitting & Watching–Dennis Brown
3. Big Ship-Freddie McGregor
4. Greetings-Half Pint
5. Tempted To Touch – Beres Hammond
6. Lost My Sonia . Sonia Come Back – Cocoa Tea
7. Kingly Character-Garnett Silk
8. Praise Him-Sanchez
9. Sweep Over My Soul-Luciano
10. God Is Standing By – George Nooks
11. I Am Not Afraid – Etana
12. She’s Royal -Tarrus Riley
STB Vol. 51
Disc 1
1. Money Flow – Busy Signal
2. Greetings (Ribidibi) – Busy Signal
3. Professionally – Busy Signal
4. Come On To Me – Major Lazer featuring Sean Paul
5. Give It All To Me – Mavado featuring Nikki Minaj
6. Wet Fete – Gyptian featuring Kes The Band
7. Who Rule – Latty J & Mr. Vegas
8. Like A Man – Spice
9. Gyal Bruk Out – Alkaline
10. Good Book – Demarco
11. My Own – Mavado
12. Shmoney Dance – Elephant Man
13. Hero – Tommy Lee Sparta
Disc 2
1. A Wah Do Dem – Eek-A-Mouse
2. Arlene – General Echo
3. Entertainment Tristan Palmer & Jah Thomas
4. My Woman/ One Thousand Gal – Barrington Levy & Nigger Kojak & Liza
5. I’m Getting Married – Yellowman
6. Girlie Girlie – Sophia George
7. No Wanga Gut – Tiger
8. Young Gal Business – Chaka Demus
9. Hot Stepper – Ini Kamoze
10. Massa God World A Run – Buju Banton
11. Romie – Beenie Man
12. Clap Your Hands Now (Get Busy remix) – Sean Paul featuring Fat Man Scoop & Crooklyn Clan
13. Weh Dem Ah Do – Mavado
14. Below The Waist – Queen Ifrica
15. Gal A Bubble – Konshens
