Exhibit one in the case decrying the digital age and the rise of ragga, Sly Robbie got stuffed by roots critics when they unleashed this instrumental set in 1988. Those tiresome programmed beats, the oh so tedious rhythms, the soul-less feel of the tracks, the lack of imagination -- the whining went on and on. Well, if they hated The Summit you can imagine what they thought of the riddims that ruled the '90s. Well, actually you don't have to imagine, since those critics all made their distaste clear. In truth, there's some justification for their complaints, however. By the Riddim Twins' own standards, The Summit's rhythms are surprisingly lacking in the pair's usual inspiration, and indeed are pretty samey. Plus there is a robotic feel to the entire set, which in itself isn't a bad thing, but the duo usually cut it with some other interesting elements and atmospheres. They don't here. But to call this set soul-less is unfair, not with the ominous undercurrents running through Spy vs. Spy nor with the breezy aura that bubbles across Super Cool. First Light boasts a distinctive joie de vivre twinned with a space-age feel, and All Aboard is a defiant stomp and a tinge of Euro-sound that suggests this train is bound for continental clubs. Still, this is not Taxi's best work, but it is a showcase for keyboardist Robbie Lynn, who adds the interest, moods, and musical excitement to what would otherwise be a pretty bland set. Check out his cleverly shifting styles on My Turf, the bluesy ersatz brass colliding with a touch of the East, and a lasso of the West, all set to a one-drop rhythm. So, not Sly Robbie's apex, but certainly a new height for Lynn. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, Rovi

1		All Aboard
2		Spy vs. Spy
3		Super Cool
4		First Light
5		My Turf
6		Free At Last
7		Rice and Peas
8		Here and Beyond

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