Various Artists: From Dubplate to Download (The Best of Greensleeves Records)

In celebration of 30 long years holding it down on the reggae scene, Greensleeves Records, recently released a 30 track, double disc collectable, From Dubplate to Download (Greensleeves), with every boom tune representing a year from the labels history.  Whether it’s Roots or Dancehall fans long to hear, this compilation has a handful of throwbacks for true reggae music lovers.       The first disc takes you to a time when music clearly had a revolutionary mission.  Juggling trough dubs like, “Born For A Purpose” (Doctor Alimantado) and “War” (Wailing Souls) from the late 1970’s, then fast forwarding to the 80’s and early 90’s with tracks like “Zungguzgung” (Yellow Man) and “Twice My Age” (Krystal & Shabba Ranks), One Drop, Ragga records conveniently flood the CD. The hype up digital generation may not be able to appreciate these classics but pop in the disc for the 25 and older crowd who will undoubtedly enjoy rubba dubbin’ down memory lane.The second disc, however, thumps in with a slightly different vibe.  If you rate Bashment, Dancehall tunes, this CD’s for you. The record opens with, “Oh Carolina” (Shaggy) but then breezes through a handful of hits like, “Down In The Ghetto” (Bounty Killer), “Who Am I” (Beenie Man) and “Tekk” (Vybz Kartel).  Some aged Sizzla, Buju and Beres songs also made the cut, giving listeners a fair balance of reggae music over the last 15 years.   This is a dubplate special definitely worth copping.  SOUNDCHECK:Krystal & Shabba Ranks “Twice My Age”