Terror Fabulous
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
Dave Kelly
,
Yaga Yaga
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
"Gangster Anthem"
and the smash
"Action,"
which paired the DJ with the lush tones of
Nadine Sutherland
.
Fabulous
is joined by a number of other sweet singers on this set.
"Number Two"
boasts the dulcet vocals of
Brian and Tony Gold
on a song built around
Kelly
's now legendary
"Pepperseed"
rhythm (the rhythm reappears a second time on
"You No Kotch"
). The DJ is accompanied by
Gary Minou
on the infectious title track, while
Wayne Wonder
joins in on
"Talk 'Bout."
Best of a splendid batch is
"Miss Goody Goody,"
an exuberant duet between
and the unforgettable
Maxi Priest
created a surprisingly diverse set of rhythms for the album. The title track collides a pounding beat to a marvelous melody,
"Too Bad"
is equally tough, but the rhythm comes courtesy of
the Uniques
' classic
"My Conversation,"
while the pummeling
"You Must Be a Fool"
turns again to
Pat Kelly
, this time for his solo
"If It Don't Work Out."
In contrast, tracks like
"If You Know You're Ready"
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