Galong Galong Galong

AMG Review of Galong Galong Galong

Jo-Ann Greene
All Music Guide

Producer George Phang rocketed to fame on the back of riddims supplied to him by the Taxi Gang, all driven, of course, by Sly & Robbie's ballistic rhythms. With these, he was able to entice superstar Yellowman into the studio and record a clutch of hit singles and this 1985 full-length set. After several years of riding high first with the Hookim brothers and then Henry "Junjo" Lawes, the DJ was ready for a change, as were the Jamaican dancehalls, which were now embracing the new agga sound. The all-conquering Casio-crazed "Under Mi Sleng Teng" reigned supreme, but the Gang's sly version is indeed a "Fat Thing," given heft by Robbie Shakespeare's thrumming bassline and plenty of bouncing rhythm guitar. Yellowman has a grand time riding the riddim straight into the ground, which is precisely where such an organic version originated. But the Gang's riddims gleefully plundered from the spectrum of Jamaican music, from Larry Marshall's eggae smash "Throw Mi Corn" to the Wailers' ocksteady classic "Rudeboy" and on to the eternally popular "Full Up." If the versions were breathtaking, Yellowman was absolutely scintillating. The plastic surgery-seeking Michael Jackson is told where to get off on "Beat It," Babylon gets a beating on the title track, and his fussy girl is told off on "Cuss Cuss," while the true value of the dollar is dissected on "Money Make Friend." King Yellow also shows off his skills with the opposite sex, and even though that didn't win him a Grammy, he still celebrates the introduction of a eggae category to the award. The DJ is at the top of his game, Phang is sailing high, and the Taxi riddims are unbeatable. A classic album.