Yaga Yaga

may have moved up to the big time, but his third album (second in the U.S., and first for a major-label subsidiary) was totally uncompromising. Magnificently overseen by producer , makes no allowances for overseas buyers, and was recorded purely with Jamaican fans in mind. As to be expected, the album picks up a number of recent hit singles, including the cautionary and the smash which paired the DJ with the lush tones of . is joined by a number of other sweet singers on this set. boasts the dulcet vocals of on a song built around 's now legendary rhythm (the rhythm reappears a second time on ). The DJ is accompanied by on the infectious title track, while joins in on Best of a splendid batch is an exuberant duet between and the unforgettable created a surprisingly diverse set of rhythms for the album. The title track collides a pounding beat to a marvelous melody, is equally tough, but the rhythm comes courtesy of ' classic while the pummeling turns again to , this time for his solo In contrast, tracks like are pure hardcore, stripped down to the bare beats. But no matter what the rhythms, and whether on his own or making room for the singer, trips merrily across the beats, a verbal acrobat with a firm grip on the rhythms and a potent point of view. Whether castigating gangsters, talking up his sexual exploits, or discussing his own spiritual beliefs, the young DJ had much to say and delivered his thoughts with aplomb. ~ Jo-Ann Greene