Yellowman - Freedom Of Speech (1997)

Old school becomes new again via Yellowman's collaborations with reggae's hardest contemporary riddim-lickers, as overseen by seminal Jamaica producer Jack Scorpio. The set launches with "Weed Dem," an inspired "combination stylee" that pairs yesterday's dance-hall-dominator--Yellow--with today's top-ranking youngblood, the awesomely versatile Beenie Man. Beenie's glittering presence and a fast-chugging machine beat regalvanize Yellow and make for equally combustible magic in "Warn Dem." Yellow's also in top form solo, but synergy is the secret behind this set's success. Yellow rocks the mic like a teenager alongside Silver Cat's gruff bray, both bouncing to a spare, hard-driving track for the exhilarating buddy-braggadocio of "Run Cum-Cum." Surprisingly, the magic holds when Yellow's matched with culture chanters Anthony B, for "Chant," and Junior "One Blood" Reid, on "Visa." Even Gregory Isaacs and Yellow goad each other to heights neither has reached in a good while for "Sugar Darling." A most welcome presence here: singer Frankie Paul, pulling Yellow along for their reprisal of the Dennis Brown anthem "Here I Come." ---Elena Oumano