Shabba Ranks Albums (17)
'Loverman'
Release Date 6/29/1999
Tracks 10
Label Sony Music Special Products
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Shabba Ranks and Friends'
Release Date 1/26/1999
Tracks 11
Label Sony
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A rather parsimonious compilation of Ranks collaborations, at a mere 11 tracks, clocking in at under 50 minutes. However, there's no arguing with the strength of the cuts included, and half of this album would later be included on Ranks' Greatest Hits set. Amongst those picked are such classics as the rootsy "Shine Eye Gal"; the sensuous "Mr. Loverman," "House Call," and "Slow and Sexy"; the hip-hop-laced DJ duel "The Jam"; and the exuberant "Pirates Anthem." These tracks feature Mykal Rose, Chevelle Franklin, Maxi Priest, Johnny Gill, KRS One, and Cocoa Tea and Home T respectively. What had to be omitted was "Telephone Love," an international chartbuster for J.C. Lodge. The rest of this set is more hip-hop edged. "Universal Love" boasts the soul-fueled vocals of Ky-Mani, Patra adds her silky tones to the R&B-flavored "Ice Cream Love," Roy Jube and Anthony Hawthorne provide a sonorous backing for the evocative "Mr. G," while fellow DJ Chubb Rock joins in for the celebratory "Two Breddrens." As an incentive for the collectors, three of the tracks appear here as remixes, and while this is merely a taste of the DJ's best work, it's a satisfying one regardless. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
'Get Up Stand Up'
Release Date 11/3/1998
Tracks 14
Label Artists Only
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This is a strange but highly effective Frankenstein's monster of an album, a grab-bag of new songs recorded under the aegis of King Jammy and remixes of older tracks from Shabba Ranks' catalog of hits. The combination of Shabba Ranks and King Jammy is simply a can't-miss proposition, and both are at the top of their powers on most of these performances. The remixes of the title track, "Can't Keep Me Down," "Halla Fi Buddy," and "Live Blanket" are effectively muscled-up and provide a nice sort of punctuation scattered among the more standard-issue dancehall fare, but even the more pedestrian numbers are quite effective: "Best Grandfather" bounces along on a surprisingly gentle bed of percolating percussion and Ranks rides the rhythm with his typical expert energy; he's joined by Lady Saw for a fine combination performance on "Wine Me Tonight"; and "Mus Love Reggae," despite its banal lyrical concerns, offers both a powerfully churning rhythm from King Jammy and a nicely flowing chat from Ranks. "Can't Keep Me Down" suffers a bit from Ranks' disregard for the song's key, and "Mus Haffi Learn" feels halfhearted and tossed-off. But overall, this album is well worth hearing. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A nice mid-'90s release from Shabba Ranks, the defending champion of dancehall at the time. The fare is relatively standard, with some level of gun talk and slackness involved as a common motif. The more notable thing associated with Ranks is the re-elevation of the reggae DJ in the production of sound. Relatively surprisingly, given the heavy levels of cameo appearances employed by his rivals, Ranks only makes use of three supporting vocalists, all from within the dancehall tradition. He enlisted some of the best as far as production is concerned as well, with the vast majority of the tracks produced (and played) by Sly and Robbie, and a couple of spare ones guest produced by Naughty by Nature and Puffy Combs (prior to his real dosage of fame). Not a bad dancehall album at all, heavily infused with hip-hop grooves here and there. For fans of contemporary dancehall (at a relatively low speed), this album should be worthwhile to listen to. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
DJ/toaster Shabba Ranks enrages reggae traditionalists and delights contemporary dancehall audiences with his fast-paced, sexually explicit commentary and quips. This 14-song set included not only Ranks but several other equally sassy dancehall stars such as Cocoa Tea, Laddy G, Deborah Glasgow, Cutty Ranks, Snagga, Krystal, E.T. and less suggestive veterans J.C. Lodge and the great Freddie McGregor. Ranks teamed with different performers on most cuts. Other than Cutty Ranks' hard-hitting "Wealth," there wasn't much socio-political material on this session. Instead, it was a showcase for dancehall, offering fans a primer of styles, sounds and themes. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Shabba Ranks landed another pop hit on his third album to hit the charts over a two-year span. "Slow and Sexy" peaked at number 33, providing ample momentum for another collection of sex cuts and come-ons. Ranks did include "Rude Boy" and "Two Breddrens," but otherwise, the focus of X-tra Naked stayed completely in the bedroom. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Shabba Ranks kept the slack dancehall coming with this follow-up to As Raw As Ever. His thick, patois-laced delivery scored a pop hit with "Mr. Loverman," and a song that basically defined the CD. If you didn't get it the first time around, you sure understood it after hearing "Bad & Wicked," "Ca'an Dun," and "Gal Yuh' Good," among others. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
