Photos: VP Records
VP Records is set to share Strictly The Best Vol. 63, this year’s installment in the longest-running compilation series in Reggae/Dancehall. It will be out on CD on December 15th and out digitally on December 22nd.
Since its debut in 1990, Strictly the Best has spotlighted emerging hits and breaking artists in the Reggae/Dancehall space. This volume continues that tradition across twelve tracks, including four exclusives: “Cyaah Done” by Konshens and Iwaata, produced by Countree Hype (out Dec.14th); “Don’t Say You Love Me” by Aza Lineage, produced by King Jammy (out Dec. 21st); “Soulmate” by Lutan Fyah, produced by Shams the Producer (out Dec. 21st); and “Happy Living” by Jahshii, produced by Mastermind (out Dec. 22nd).
Strictly The Best Vol. 63 takes listeners on a tour of the modern Reggae/Dancehall landscape, tracing a range of styles along the way. It moves from Intence’s gritty realism (“MUGGER”) to different perspectives on romance from Jah Cure (“One More Time – Doncorleon Remix”), Gyptian (“Only Room for Two”) and Romain Virgo (“Driver”), and into soul-infused Roots Reggae by Jah9 (“Open Heart”). It also includes some of the year’s blockbuster collaborations: Shaggy and Teejay (“Gyal Dem Time”), Alborosie and Kabaka Pyramid (“Nah Sell Out”), and Christopher Martin, Bounty Killer, and Busy Signal (“It’s Guaranteed – Remix”).
Richard ‘Shams’ Browne, the VP Records A&R behind the project, said, “This year, the curation process flowed a lot more freely than it has in the past. Working on the exclusive new tracks was definitely a highlight. I believe the Konshens and Iwaata track will be a part of the movement to push dancing to the forefront of dancehall, and both the Aza Lineage and Lutan Fyah songs give fans the kind of roots reggae that stands the test of time.”
The cover art, illustrated by Spliffington, captures the spirit of dancehall emerging from a smartphone, symbolizing the convergence of modern music and digital media.
Pre-Save Strictly The Best Vol. 63
