VP Records' Reggae Gold 2003 has hit the streets just in time for the summer. Every couple of years there's a reggae artist that crosses over & brings people to the genre, this time the honor goes to Sean Paul [honorable mention:Wayne Wonder]. Like artists before him [Super Cat, Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man etc...] Sean Paul has brought reggae back to the ''Top 40''. And by doing songs with the likes of Beyonce, Blu Cantrell, Busta Rhymes, Clipse & Jay-Z the genre may be top 40 a little longer this time.

There's also Wayne Wonder who many have never heard of until his single ''No Letting Go'' lit up the airwaves. The song used the Diwali rhythm which is also used for the Lumidee cut ''Never Leave You''.

That being said, this years compilation has it's share of mainstream tracks:
1. Make it Clap - Sean Paul Busta & Spliff Star
2. No Letting Go (Remix) - Wayne Wonder & LL Cool J Feat Dutchess
3. Pon Di River Pon Di Bank - Elephant Man
4. The Greatest - Bounty Killer
5. Row Like A Boat - Beenie Man
6. Sexy Lady - Shaggy Feat Brian & Tony Gold
7. Get Busy - Sean Paul
8. Bad Man Surprise -Spragga , Bounty, Assassin, & Madd Cobra
9. It?s a Pity - Tanya Stevens
10. She?s Still Loving Me - Morgan Heritage
11. One To One - Buju Banton
12. 360 Turn - Beres Hammond
13. She?s Hot - TOK
14. Honey I - Tanto Metro & Devonte
15. Sexy Body - Sasha
16. Thank U Mamma- Sizzla

Now the album, as usual, is good but I find myself skipping over the first 3 tracks entirely. Not because they're bad, but because I've grown tired of them. The same goes for tracks like ''Sexy Lady'' & ''Get Busy''. But the album also features some songs that people who don't usually listen to reggae may enjoy. ''Pon Di River Pon Di Bank'', Row LIke A Boat'' & my favorite ''It's A Pity'' by Tanya Stephens [reminds me of the brooklyn basement parties of my youth].

And that, in my opinion, has always been the main mission of this album. To appeal to the everyday music buyer by including popular tracks while at the same time introducing them to other artists who they normally wouldn't ever get a chance to here on local radio or TV.

Overall it's a great compilation that everyone should be able to enjoy. And, what has become a usual practice, their is also a bonus mix CD included featuring all the songs on the album mixed by Black Chiney. So if you don't usually listen to reggae but are currently feeling artists like Sean Paul or Wayne Wonder, than you should definitely give this album a try.

SonicAmp Rating: 8/10