Alive Riddim – Dynasty Records

Bobby Hustle’s “On The Run” is the clean entry point into Dynasty Records’ 2011 Alive Riddim, but the pull here really comes from the way the whole set gathers voices like Lutan Fyah, Delly Ranx, Messenjah Selah and Winstrong around one steady piece of roots reggae. The riddim stays warm and restrained rather than flashy, leaving room for songs like Delly Ranx’s “Livin My Life” and Lutan Fyah’s “Break I Down” to lean on message and phrasing. There’s a nice tension in the lineup too: Gentleman and Jah Sun bring “Tear Drops” into the mix, while Chukki Starr, D Way and I Zula keep the project moving with more conscious, reflective cuts. Dynasty even tucks in its own instrumental version, which lets the groove breathe a little longer. Still, Bobby Hustle’s opener and Lutan Fyah’s later cut give the project its sharpest edges.