Title
Artist
Label
Format
Date
   Various artists album review
Riddim Driven ~ Engine 54 & Humanity
Various
VP Records - Walboomers Music
CD
20 - 04 - 2002


Tracking list

  1. Sanchez - Love
  2. Glen Washington - Give Thanks And Praise
  3. Freddie McGregor - Humanity
  4. Fiona - Want To Make Love
  5. Lloyd Brown - Humanity Pt. 2
  6. Mical Rustle - Crazy
  7. Freddie McGregor - Uncle Sam
  8. Scotty - Penny For Your Song
  9. Andrew Bell - Cover Me
  10. Wayne Wade - Young Girl
  11. Lymie - Blueberry Hill
  12. Glen Washington - Movin’ On
  13. J.D. Smooth - Stranger In My House
  14. Tinga Stewart - Tinga Medley
  15. Collin Roach - Give My Heart
  16. Dino & Facety - How You A Gwaan So?
  17. King Waggy Tee - Love Engine 54 Mega Mix
Rating : from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor)

Vocals : 4/5 Backing : 4 Production : 5 Sound quality : 5 Sleeve : 4


VP's most popular series 'Riddim Driven' comes up with a two riddim set, both produced by veteran reggae producer Lloyd Campbell a.k.a. Joe Frasier. Both riddims are re-licks of classic rocker’s reggae. "Humanity" (aka "Love The Way It Should Be")was originally done by Prince Lincoln and the Royal Rasses and "Engine 54" was a huge hit for the Ethiopians. The "Humanity" riddim is updated by the UK riddim twins, Mafia and Fluxy, and they did a very good job on this one! Some of the versions on the album were reggae hits in 2001 and there is no weak version found here. Outstanding tunes are Sanchez with Love and Lloyd Brown's Humanity Part 2. Reggae veteran Freddie McGregor confirms his superstar status with the original Humanity and Glen Washington's lick across the riddim is fantastic. Mical Rustle does a fine job too and sexy Fiona contributes the seductive Want To Make Love. Finally J.D. Smooth comes up with the lovers tune Stranger In My House.
"Engine 54" is rebuild in a masterly way, and the choice of artists pitches one's expectations high, but we have to say that the choice of covers is somewhat disappointing. Freddie McGregor's awesome Uncle Sam stands lonely at the top, but the covers of Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill and Gary Puckett & The Union Gap's Young Girl are weak tunes. A good alternative would have been Marcia Griffith's lick called Run Up And Down. Original and good licks are Have You A Gwan So ? by Dino & Facety and Glen Washington's Movin On. Decent covers come from Collin Roach with Give My Heart and Scotty with Penny For My Song. Tinga Stewart's Medley includes the tunes "El Paso", "Build Me Up" and "Mr. Brown".
The album close with a Mega Mix by King Waggy Tee. His mixing style isn't to our liking, he uses too much gimmicks, but there is no accounting for tastes, so we'll leave the judgement up to you.

Teacher & Mr. T.