Strictly The Best compilation: The best of the best

As VP Records gets ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a year-long slate of activities, the label is continuing its tradition of releasing its annual signature compilation,Strictly the Best. This comes even as it acknowledges the issue of the future of compilation CDs in an increasingly digital age.

Hailed as the most anticipated compilation each year,Strictly the Best was first released in 1992, and the series now stands at numbers 58 and 59 , with even numbers representing reggae artistes and odd numbers, dancehall. The latest series, which has been released today, presents the hottest songs and artistes from both genres.

“Strictly The Best highlights trending dancehall and reggae songs that are breaking or about to break,” director, business development at VP Music Group Richard Lue, toldThe Gleaner.

He continued, “The series exploded in popularity, featuring four editions in 1992 and 1993, and inclusion on the set has been a coveted first step for emerging artistes and a point of pride for established performers.”

He noted that the iconic covers have become a staple in the compilation series, and this year was no different. “This year’s inspiration is a ‘retro future’, a vision of the world 1,000 years from now, looking forward to a positive future while honouring the past,” Lue explained.

In reminiscing on the origin of the series, he recalled that in years gone by, established artistes would release singles in-between albums to keep them current, and upcoming acts who couldn’t afford to put out albums, would release singles. It was from this lot that VP would choose the best for their compilation.

“But the reality is that in this digital age, hardly anybody wants to buy compilation CDs anymore. Consumers can go online and create their own playlists, and they can choose individual singles to buy or download.

And that’s one reason why VP is taking theStrictly the Best brand and turning it into a lifestyle.

The firstStrictly the Best LIVE event will be held in Montego Bay on January 30, and will act as the official launch of the 40th anniversary celebrations,” he said.

Despite this cherry-picking by consumers, VP remains committed to this series. Christopher Chin, president of VP Records, is quoted in a release as saying, that the compilation has surpassed just the music and has become a culture.

Strictly The Best volume 59 features a mix of dancehall and other flavours from top names and emerging stars in the genre. A refix collab from Vybz Kartel and Shenseea kick-starts the album. Dovey Magnum, Christopher Martin, UK artiste Lisa Mercedes (feat. Shams The Producer) and Estelle (featuring Konshens and Nick x Navi) are some of the other names on the album.

Strictly The Best 58, presents the best in current roots reggae and lovers rock and features Italian Reggae artiste Alborosie, featuring Chronixx, Maxi Priest, Raging Fyah, Beres Hammond and Jah9

Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, Sanchez, and Mr. Vegas hold the record as the artistes with the most songs included on the Strictly The Best series. But this is one record that Mr Vegas has no interest in celeebrating. “All this means is that I’m one if the artistes who VP has exploited the most,” he told The Gleaner.

Vegas listed Heads High, I Am Blessed, Hot Gyal Today and Suckie Duckie as songs which have appeared on the compilations over the years and noted that having them on Strictly The Best didn’t do anything for him as an artiste as “those songs were already hit songs when they appeared on the compilation”.

Sanchez, however, said he was “proud to be a part of the Strictly series” and congratulated VP Records on their 40th anniversary.

The artiste with the most Strictly The Best appearances is Beres Hammond with 26.

Over 350 artistes have been featured on the series to date.