Album: DJ K-Note - Dutty Bass Volume Two

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There was a time, in the not too distant past, when the West Indies cricket team was the best in the world. They dominated; they had style, a style that was distinctly theirs. But over time their dominance diminished. The real reason for this lies in the fact that over time the Caribbean has shifted its cultural attention away from its past, and focused on the USA as a beacon for the future. Thus, basketballers replace cricketers, and musically, dancehall/hip hop artists trying to win over the US market replace reggae artists.

Thus we arrive at DJ K-Note and his collection of current Caribbean music titled, Dutty Bass Volume Two. Now, it is important to note in our sporting analogy that the West Indies team aren’t altogether awful, they are just not what they use to be. Much could be said from a reggae head regarding some of the ‘fresh’ tunes found on this album. Sure, Akon’s Mama Africa is fine, as is Sister Nancy’s version of the Toots & The Maytals track Bam Bam. But, unlike roots reggae and early dancehall, most of the music here misses the flair of its past.

It should be noted however that this collection of tunes is aimed at an Australian market, whose knowledge may be a little sparse – so any people after an introduction into contemporary reggae and dancehall flavour could find this a good place to start. But from my perspective, yes, there’s a reggae flavour, but the flow and message seems a little sporadic and the heart of grass roots reggae seems to be absent.