Active Riddim (2021) – Jones Ave Records

Jones Ave Records kept Active Riddim moving in 2021 with a sharp, street-facing dancehall cut that sits comfortably beside the label’s earlier juggling work. The imprint had already built a name around instrumental-driven releases like Speedometer, Yardie Vibes, De Saga and Gold Finga, so this one lands as part of a growing catalogue rather than a one-off experiment.

The rhythm has that lean, modern dancehall pressure: hard drum programming, a skeletal bassline, and enough space for each deejay to find a different pocket. Intence comes in forcefully on “Loud Badness, ” turning the riddim into a warning shot with his usual high-energy delivery. I-Octane’s “Weed And Henny” pulls the project toward a looser, more celebratory lane, while Zagga’s “Success” and Ginjah’s “Losing My Patient” give it a more reflective edge. Insideeus sharpens things again on “Verify, ” and Mizz Crizzy’s “Love Me Good” and Banxx’s “Clingy” keep the juggling varied without breaking the flow. Mbanxxx’s “Food” rounds out the set with another straight-to-the-point dancehall slice.

What makes Active Riddim work is the way it leaves room for different voices without losing its pulse. The lineup moves from shelling badness to romance, ambition and everyday frustration, which is exactly what a good riddim release should do. It feels like a snapshot of 2021 dancehall: digital, fast-moving, and built for repeat spins across sound systems and playlists.