So Pleasing Riddim – Libra Lifie Music

Libra Lifie Music’s So Pleasing Riddim arrived in 2014 as a smooth, lover’s-rock-leaning reggae juggling with enough roots warmth to keep it from drifting into pure radio sweetness. The sound sits at an easy midtempo pace, with a gentle one-drop feel, bright guitar skank, and a rounded bassline that leaves plenty of space for the singers to stretch out. It runs on melody more than aggression, which is why the title cut and the vocal hooks stick so quickly.

The label behind it, Libra Life Music, is the imprint of Neilm, a Jamaican-born singer who has said he started the label after Beyond 2000 split and has described his lane as reggae lovers rock with touches of dancehall, R and B, and hip hop. This riddim sits early in that catalogue and shows the label working a polished, modern reggae sound rather than chasing heavy roots weight. The release landed on July 8, 2014.

The line-up is a mix of familiar names and lesser-known voices: Jah Mason, Luciano, Terry Linen, Chezidek, Anthony Cruz, Laden, Chino, Star Cole, Shelene Thomas, Dezurt, Itru Jah, Singing Sweet, Neil M, and Bryan Morris. Luciano’s “If You Want It” and Terry Linen’s “Give Me Your Heart” bring the deepest lovers-rock pull, while Jah Mason’s “Ganja” gives the set a tougher edge without breaking the groove. Chezidek’s “Jah Jah Bless” and Anthony Cruz’s “Want To Leave” keep the project grounded in melody and uplift, and the title instrumental from Bryan Morris closes things in clean style.