Freemind Riddim – Freemind Music Records

Freemind Riddim lands as a conscious reggae juggling with a distinctly rootsy pulse, and the first clue to its identity is the balance it strikes between veteran voices and newer names. Freemind Music Records, Etana’s own imprint, issued the set in May 2024, and she framed it as a return to the old reggae tradition of multiple artists riding one instrumental and taking the message in different directions. The result is a 12-track project with room for weighty names and fresh cuts alike.

The sound is slow, warm, and brass-kissed, with that late-90s, early-2000s juggling feel that lets the groove breathe instead of rushing it. Etana’s “Grateful” sits naturally in that space, while I-Octane’s “Violence” brings sharper social commentary, and Lutan Fyah’s “Work and Play” adds the kind of rooted, reflective writing he has long been known for. Richie Spice’s “Life Goes On” and Warrior King’s “Ragga Ragga” give the set extra depth from two singers who understand how to make a simple hook carry real weight.

The lineup stretches beyond Jamaica too, with Ghana’s Samini on “Holiday” and California-based Jah Sun on “Tear Drop Are Falling, ” while Lawgiver the Kingson, Yahsha, Greg Gutty and I Noah help fill out the circle. That spread gives the riddim a broader reggae conversation without losing its core message. It is not a flashy release; it is one that trusts melody, phrasing and steady groove to do the work.