A compilation album of female artists singing their hits is ostensibly no big deal, but in reggae, it practically qualifies as high concept, since there's still an undeniable male hegemony. Of WHAT A BAM BAM's 12 tracks, many are celebrated, some previously unavailable or hard to find, and one is previously unreleased. Though Althea and Donna's "Uptown Top Ranking" is missing (but available elsewhere), the album presents a wicked selection of four DJs and eight singers.
The toasting appropriately begins with Sister Nancy--the first female DJ--rocking the mic on "Bam Bam," and continues to the next generation of DJs for which she paved the way. Shelly Thunder?s helium-high ?giggle? no doubt influenced Lauryn Hill, but she sounds appropriately rough when warning wandering men on her hit "Kuff." Lady G?s equally feminist ?Nuff Respect? follows, and Lady Saw wails her breakthrough, "Find a Good Man." As for the songbirds, Marcia Griffiths voices ?Fire Burning,? (written by former partner Bob Andy), the original Foxy Brown sings her classic cover of Tracy Chapman's "Sorry," and J.C. Lodge's creamy voice caresses "Telephone Love" (over Gussie Clark's tough "Rumours" rhythm). Also in the mix are two irresistible bubblers; Sophia George's "Girlie, Girlie" and Natural Beauty's "Nice Up Dancee."