20 Pound Riddim – Various Artists

Three cuts, three heavyweight names, and that’s the whole charm of 20 Pound Riddim: Capleton, Sizzla and Vybz Kartel each get a swing at the same 2005 dancehall rhythm, so the project feels tight rather than crowded. Capleton’s “Hush” carries that fiery, commanding tone he was leaning on in the mid-2000s, while Sizzla’s “Big And Serious” keeps the energy stern and militant, right in his wheelhouse. Vybz Kartel’s “The Most High” is the one that jumps out for its sharper edge and spiritual tint, a nice contrast to the more straightforward bashment pressure around it. With only those three songs on the riddim, there’s no filler to get lost in, just a lean little slice of mid-2000s dancehall from a year when this kind of voicing format was everywhere.