George Phang

This is the final two-disc volume in a four-volume set of reggae compilations taken from the vaults of George Phang, an influential but frequently overlooked producer who helped to usher in the first phase of the dancehall revolution in the late 1970s and early '80s. His stable of singers and chatters is pretty much the same crew as the one we encountered on the first three volumes: Sugar Minott, Josey Wales, Frankie Paul, Half Pint, and a handful of other dancehall luminaries of the period; as always, the updated versions of old-school rhythms are provided by Sly & Robbie and Steely & Clevie. Disc one reappropriates the "Sleng Teng" rhythm to interesting effect, removing it from its original Casiotone context and restating it with live instruments; Yellowman and Charlie Chaplin both make good use of the revivified version, while Josey Wales seems to be phoning his performance in. When the "Stalag 17" rhythm (one of the greatest reggae backing tracks ever written) appears, however, it seems to fire everyone up, especially Charlie Chaplin -- his "Dance in the Atlantic" is one of this album's highlights. Elsewhere Josey Wales updates "Throw Me Corn" to very fine effect, Sugar Minott turns in five more typically brilliant performances, and Peter Metro quotes Tina Turner extensively and to no obvious purpose. Overall, this collection marks a strong finish to an outstanding series of dancehall reggae compilations. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide