King Yellowman (40th Anniversary Edition)＜限定盤＞

Yellowman's jump to a major label might have had some reggae purists gasping, but the one album that resulted introduced many listeners to the rich world of dancehall music and its cadre of talented DJs. Before he cut this 1984 record for CBS, Yellowman had already hit the peak of his fame in Jamaica, waxing some stellar sides for the supreme early dancehall producer, Henry "Junjo" Lawes. And while King Yellowman doesn't match the quality of such Lawes discs as Mister Yellowman, it does boast enough solid tracks to stave off the cut-out bins. Sporting some commercial-friendly funk and pop touches here and there, the mix boasts highlights like "Jamaica Nice/Take Me Home Country Roads," "Sea Cruise," and "Strong Me Strong." Lawes' deft touch is certainly missed, but the Roots Radics' presence certainly keeps things aboveboard. Not an essential Yellowman title, but one that's enjoyable enough to warrant more than just a few spins on the turntable. ~ Stephen Cook