Al Andalus Riddim – Various Artists

AL ANDALUS RIDDIM produced by VARIOUS ARTISTS 2004

Right in the sweet spot of Spain’s early-2000s reggae push, this one keeps a lean five-track cast and leans on a dry, rootsy digital pulse rather than anything glossy. The mood is militant but melodic, with Spanish-language cuts sitting naturally beside the English ones, and the whole thing has that local-riddim feel that was helping Madrid’s scene find its own voice at the time. Chulito Camacho and Rachid Baggasse were already central names in that stretch, and here they frame the set with El Hermano L’s “Que Es Lo Que Da, ” Jah Rubben Mystic’s “Women No Cry, ” and Mr. Rango’s tougher “Voodoo” before Newton keeps the pressure on with “Es Duro. ” Turbulence closes it out with “Rejoice and Sing, ” a fitting last tune for a compact riddim that moves from street grit to uplift without losing its edge.

Al Andalus Riddim Tracklist:

1. Hermand L – Que Es Lo Que Da
2. Jah Rubben Mystic – Women No Cry
3. Mr Rango – Voodoo
4. Newton – Es Duro
5. Turbulence – Rejoice & Sing