Yellowman - Zungguzungguguzungguzeng! (1983)

King Yellow returns with another Junjo Lawes-produced winner, accompanied by the fat, dubby rhythms of the Roots Radics and the Hi-Times Band, and this time the DJ brings along his sparring partner, Fathead, along for the ride. Its a hits-heavy outing, made all the more pleasurable by the combination of big, booming beats and the DJ's delightful chatter. The title track, in particular, is a fabulous showcase for Yellowman's incredible verbal skills (ad-libbed in the studio), he skitters along with barely a pause for breath, a non-stop flow of skillful rhymes and infectious exuberance. What people loved best about the DJ was his braggadocio, and he's at his boastful best on "Yellowman Wise," a sharp version of the much covered old chestnut "Solomon," and "Who Can Make the Dance Ram," a deliciously wicked rewrite of Sammy Davis, Jr.'s "The Candyman." On the simmering "Take Me to Jamaica," the DJs expound on the glory of Jamaican women (all of whom, we well know from past songs, desperately desire the oh so wonderful Yellowman). Amidst the fun and bragging, there's still room for more serious matters. A pair of religiously themed songs are also featured, as well as a couple of cultural numbers. "The Good the Bad & the Ugly" is particularly noteworthy for its hard hitting look at ghetto life, based on the pair's own poverty stricken pasts. Add the superb rhythms, Lawes excellent production, and Zung... is an unforgettable DJ extravaganza.© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo