The Yellow The Purple And The Nancy

Triple threat. This 1982 dancehall set catches Yellowman, Purpleman and Sister Nancy in that early-’80s sweet spot where deejay chatter, rude-boy humour and raw sound-system energy were all pulling in the same direction. The Junjo Lawes connection matters here: his hand and the Hi-Times Band’s backing give Purpleman’s clipped, sly delivery on “Feeling Irie” and Sister Nancy’s sharp, confident turns on “Bang Belly” the kind of lift that makes the whole thing snap. Yellowman and Fathead keep the lighter, more playful side bubbling on “Baby Father” and “Mr. Wong, ” so the record feels like a passing of the mic as much as a posse session. A proper three-the-hard-way moment, with ten tracks and no wasted motion.