Singleversity #44

Audiversity’s weekly column, slightly modified, on random music in a predetermined number of words between 1 & 150. This week's randomly generated number: 101

MA:



Not really a collection for diehard diggers of the genre, but one of the latest Heartbeat Records compilations, When Rhythm Was King, culls some of the best pairings between Studio One’s impeccable rhythm section and Jamaica’s top vocalists. Besides choice cuts from Alton Ellis, Johnny Osbourne, Dennis Brown and Dillinger among others, it also includes maybe my favorite Sugar Minott number, "Come on Home". With a sparse riddim clicking and clucking, Minott pines for his lost lover with that unparalleled soft soul croon. Track in a few swooning horns and an organ flutter, and you have yet another Studio One classic.

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Though Michael was less enthusiastic about Hell Hath No Fury, Clipse’s sophomore album remains on my heavy hip-hop rotation even now (Is it sad to want more of the intro?). The Re-Up Gang released two exemplary mixtapes during that downtime to keep sharp. After signing with Columbia last October, the Clipse have made the wait short for their next appearance: This week, We Got it 4 Cheap: Vol. 3 was released. Ab-Liva and Sandman also sound as up to snuff (No pun intended) as the Thorntons here on "Good Morning." Too bad the rest of the title is too long to remember.