25 To Life Riddim – Signature Records / VP Records

Signature Records and VP Records were usually associated with tidy, polished reggae catalogs, but 25 To Life Riddim leans into something a little rougher and more topical, with songs circling gun talk, pressure, faith, weed, and Black woman pride. Released on February 22, 2011, the seven-cut set keeps the lineup compact, and the strongest pull comes from the contrast between Roundhead’s “Stress Weed” and New Kidz’s “Tired a Di Gun Sound, ” two tracks that ride the same rhythm from different angles while letting the arrangement stay spare and steady underneath. Kevin Wings opens on a warmer note with “Momma I Love You, ” while Shaddu’s title cut and Terro Slim’s “Judgement” keep the mood on the serious side. It’s a lean one-riddim package, with seven unique artists and a short tracklist that doesn’t waste time.