ALBUM DESCRIPTION

Some of the best voices in gospel reggae, dancehall and soca unite for a collaboration that is sure to sell like "hotbread". So if you are hungry for more great gospel reggae music, then look no further.

This album is more proof that Trinidad has long been the epicenter of Christian reggae. And it seems like almost every quality gospel reggae album recorded in the beautiful twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago ends up "flowing" through "God's House of Flows"--Sherwin Gardner's home studio. Having personally worked with Sherwin on various occasions, I must admit that he is undoubtedly one of the best gospel reggae producers in the world. On this unique compilation he flexes his production expertise for another label's project. "Hilltop" is a record company that is committed to "stand and shout God's Word from the valleys and the hilltops." With this premier compilation they have created the perfect product to propel this vision into the stratosphere.

As we first open up the oven, Sheldon Benji's sweet aromatic roots bless us. Next we throw in a dash of driving dancehall by Golden Judah, Banton and Toada and you have the perfect recipe for a spice bun! This is a big tune destined to fill up any dance floor! After this, Banton, Golden Judah and Winter "Run go get lyrics," over an urban dancehall track.

This album is full of multiple artist collaborations proving that there is strength numbers. A great example of this is the up-tempo Ragga Soca">ragga soca cut, "In Everything We Do" with Toada, Winter and Banton. The bread continues to rise as Israel, Golden Judah and Sheldon Benji ask, "Where You Gonna Go?" This time they are flowing over an inventive roots/hip-hop hybrid riddim. After this, the oven really heats up as Banton delivers some "Judgment" over a bass-heavy dancehall cut Regrettably, this is not the strongest track on the album. Following this, Sheldon Benji "Provides" us with some more one-drop roots (replete with a bubbly bass-line).

The crust starts to turn golden brown as Golden Judah and the award winning Sherwin Gardner deliver "Hip Hop Hurray", a tune with a smooth singing chorus that leaps into a double-time soca cadence that is sure to get many-a-rags a wavin'! You may recognize the next voice from Lion of Zion's "Dancehall Baptism 1 and 2" and "To the King." On track 12, Toada (aka Todah) addresses the "Issue of Sex" with his signature sound and clever lyrics over an up-tempo hip-hop beat.

A short roots set begins with "Bad Man Story" (by Sheldon Benji, Toada and Banton). The only real issue that I have with certain songs on this album is that some of the singing threatens to turn this sweetbread into sourdough. Regrettably there are select bad notes (on tunes like track 13) that should have been fixed. However, classic cuts such as Israel's "Never Leave You" more than redeem this project's minor shortcomings. Just take a listen to the RealAudio File of this mellow rockers tune with eloquent singing and a relaxed sing-jay style. It is so comforting to know that despite all of the times that you fall, "Jesus will never leave you, nor forsake you." By the end of the last dancehall track (Grace Alone), this loaf of hotbread is ready to come out of the oven and be sliced up for the masses.

So get ready to shout the good news from the hilltops! With four dancehall cuts, six roots tunes, two soca tracks and one hip-hop/deejay song; this compilation has a little something for everyone. So grab it quick while it's fresh, for this one is sure to sell like hotbread!

Review by Mark Mohr