One would have thought that once the dancehalls finally began turning back toward culture,
Yellowman would have celebrated its return with an album themed around social issues and concerns. Instead, listeners get
Reggae on the Move, the ultimate party set, without a serious thought in sight. The anthemic title track is an exuberant tribute to the genre, while "Dancehall Tambourine" moves the gala to the dancehall where, to an inspired digitized version of
Sly & the Family Stone's "Dance to the Music," the DJ celebrates his own toasting skills, then acknowledges the equal gifts of his competition on "King." "Do It to Me" continues the festivities in the bedroom, where
King Yellow reigns supreme, although
Lionel Richie (who had a hit with the original rhythm) might disagree. "I'm a lover, not a fighter," the DJ insists, even as the gunshots ring out over "Get the Rammer." Yes, he's got the rammer that girls all over the world want, for they all still "Love King Yellow." But it's not all sexual toasted boasts; on "Yo-Yo,"
Yellow sweetly sings of his prowess, and then promises that with him, the girl will be "Happy for the Rest of Your Life" (a lethal version of
Jimmy Soul's 1963 U.S. chart-topper, "If You Wanna Be Happy"). The tough dancehall rhythms are expertly laid down by
the Firehouse Crew and
Danny Brownie/
Robbie Shakespeare, with the tracks evenly split between
the Crew and the duo. The arrangements are a bit lighter than those currently favored by the island's dancehalls, the album's only concession to overseas audiences. Regardless, it's a sharp set and sure to set any party afire. ~ Jo-Ann Greene