MENTION reggae and certain names come to mind. The likes of Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff are just some of them. Unfortunately, because of the label issue, most of them are unrepresented on this three-CD compilation (which only has two songs by Tosh). Some might then ask how it could be called Pure Reggae but it’s still worth a listen or two, and, at only RM39.90, it’s a good bargain.

While some of the more popular greats are not represented here, there are other luminaries to be found, like DJs I-Roy and U-Roy (two of the four deejays who reigned supreme over Jamaican airwaves in the early 1970s), Gregory Isaacs, Sly Dunbar, Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, UB40 and Maxi Priest.

The classic cuts on it include U-Roy’s musical take on Trench Town Rock, Culture’s Holy Mount Zion, Tosh’s Equal Rights, and two versions of African Herbsman.

With 48 tracks to choose from, it would be hard to single out any but if I have to make a choice, I’ll definitely rank Sly Dunbar’s impressive cover of the elder Marley’s Sun is Shining as a stand-out moment.

Reggae is usually about feeling upbeat and the sounds tend to be uplifting and joyous, so this makes the compilation a good one to listen to at stressful times, as it serves as a soothing balm for the mind and body.