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November 26, 2005
Idonia Set To Get Mainstream Recognition
Hot new deejay on the rise, Idonia has seen his chart hit Lolly from the Irish Dance rhythm included on VP Records' annual Strictly the Best Volume 33 compilation. The compilation is regarded as one of VP Records' top selling discs and has consistently dented the Billboard R&B Hip Hop and Reggae Album charts.
Lolly which is sitting pretty in the Top 10 of the Reggae charts in Jamaica, was produced by Cordell 'Skatta' Burrell for Kings of Kings. Burrell was ecstatic about the inclusion of the song on the compilation disc. Earlier this week he told this column "I feel good to know that Idonia is finally getting some recognition for his work. At the end of the day it's the work that you put out that people will remember you for", said Mr. Burrell.
This isn't the first time that any of his projects has been included on the VP Records compilation.
The Strictly the Best series debuted in 1992 with one disc. A few years later two volumes (lovers rock and dancehall) were became part of the annual release. Chris Schlarb, Director of Publicity of VP Records said "Strictly the Best is our premier compilation release behind Reggae Gold. Unlike Reggae Gold which focuses on the crossover market, Strictly the Best focuses on the tracks that we feel are burning up on the streets of Jamaica, with no regard to what will be 'the next big thing'. This year we have decided to return to the original format of releasing two volumes simultaneously, one volume dancehall and one volume roots/lovers rock. There are so many hits out right now that we had to return to the traditional format".
Strictly the Best 31 which was released in 2003 remains the biggest selling series to date. It has moved 80,923 copies in the US according to sales tracker Soundscan.