Shaggy: Original Doberman - 1994

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Shaggy was one of the New York digital ragga artist who transformed was reggae was all about in the nineties. As a reggae traditionalist - original reggae and roots - it really isn't my thing. 

The digital, programmed backing is a million miles away from the reggae that does it for me and Shaggy's scattergun hip hop/rapped vocals are an acquired taste, for me anyway. I can listen to one or two tracks but not many more, to be honest. Man A Yard, for example, is pretty much unlistenable. 

I like We Never Danced To The Rub-a-Dub Sound, however, it has a catchiness to it that appeals. It also samples Bob Marley's Trenchtown Rock, so that is always going to go down well with me. Soldering has a groovy bass backing, but again the vocal is somewhat irritating. You either like it or you don't I guess. 

This album has been remastered on the Greensleeves label, so it goes without saying that the sound quality is excellent.


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