AMG Review of Best of Shaggy

David Jeffries
All Music Guide

Like all the Shaggy compilations before it, Virgin's 2008 collection fails to deliver what would be the dream comp, one that puts early hits like "Boombastic" and "Oh Carolina" next to later ones like "It Wasn't Me" and "Church Heathen." Until the day the record labels the dancehall superstar has been with play nice, Best Of is a worthy recommendation. The previously mentioned early cuts are included alongside the Maxi Priest duet "That Girl" and the underappreciated "Why You Treat Me So Bad" single. Entertaining cover versions of "In the Summertime" and "Piece of My Heart" seal the deal, while well-chosen album cuts provide the B+ filler. Know that what you're really getting is The Best of the Virgin Years and this set doesn't disappoint.