When it comes to singing over dancehall rhythms, few Jamaican artists can rival Sanchez and Ghost for hits, popularity or staying power. Between the two of them, they’ve sweetened more reggae dances than a truck full of sugar cane most notably by transforming pop, reggae, soul and r&b hits into the kind of dancehall anthems that quickly define a time, place and mood for all who fall under their spell.

A round up of their best dancehall singles was long overdue, but thanks to Jet Star’s Toe II Toe series, now arrives just as Jamaican music begins to dominate the international charts like never before. Dancehall’s never been so popular, and artists like Sanchez and Ghost played no small part in its current success. It’s why both still enjoy widespread acclaim in reggae circles, and especially when adapting familiar songs in there own distinctive styles.
Many of the tracks featured here are cover versions; although most been reshaped almost beyond recognition as a posse of Jamaica’s leading producers add raw, dancehall-style innovation to the mix, and the two singers weave their own special brand of magic on the mic. Take Ghost’s interpretation of Paul Simon’s Don’t Call Me Al for example, which retitled Bodyguard and produced by Ghost himself, now rides captivating, Latinesque dancehall beats courtesy of Sly & Robbie, and was unlucky not to break into the national charts when first released on single.

Sanchez too, has come close to mainstream success on occasion most notably in the early nineties, when Missing You (produced by Bobby Digital) was huge in the dancehalls and Prince reputedly headhunted him for Paisley Park. His gospel upbringing is never far from the surface in his music, and nor the early dancehall experience he gained with local sound-systems in Portmore, near Kingston. His debut single arrived in 1987 with a version of Lady In Red for producer Hugh "Redman" James. Hits for Vena, Winston Riley, Dennis Star, Penthouse and others soon followed, establishing him as a natural successor to long-time singers such as Delroy Wilson, Ken Boothe and Alton Ellis. That he’s upheld their soulful vocal tradition during an era when digital rhythms and deejays have taken centre stage is very much to his credit, and his mastery of the modern day Jamaican love song is never in doubt on these nine, superb tracks, with the lyrics of Hit Song produced by Tony Neuville explaining Sanchez’s enduring appeal far better than any liner notes. If Ghost’s high-pitched delivery lacks polish by comparison, it’s because everything he sings is governed by feel, rather than technique. Born and raised in Matches Lane (an area renowned for being one of the worst ghetto neighbourhoods in Kingston), he made his first public performance at the age of three even paying for his own schooling out of money earned from music before teaming up with MC Culture (as part of a duo called Culture & Ghost) in 1992 and touring as support act to Shabba Ranks. He then formed Monster Shack with the deejays Roundhead and General B, even whilst continuing to record as a solo act. Monster Shack’s livewire stage antics and string of mid-to-late nineties’ hits will live long in the memory of all who witnessed them, but it’s Ghost’s own solo material that’s highlighted here, with producers such as Computer Paul, Fireball’s Leroy Moore, Harvel Hart, Diavallon “Dia” Fearon and Mixing Lab owner Roy Francis (Touch Me, Style and Here I Am) all contributing unmissable tracks from his catalogue of Jamaican hits.

01.Always Be True - Sanchez
02.Wonderful Thing - Sanchez
03.Style - Ghost
04.Here I Am - Ghost
05.I Wish - Sanchez
06.Love We Had - Sanchez
07.Living Years - Ghost
08.Touch Me - Ghost
09.How Can I Love Someone - Sanchez
10.Your Love Got A Hold - Sanchez
11.Can’t Stop My Dreams - Ghost
12.Never Let You Go - Ghost
13.Hit Song - Sanchez
14.Stay With Me - Sanchez
15.She Is Lonely - Ghost/ General B 16. Waiting For You - Ghost
17.Missing You - Sanchez 18. Bodyguard - Ghost