All Smiles Riddim – Thirty Six Degrees Records

Thirty Six Degrees Records usually sits closer to dancehall than pure carnival soca, so All Smiles Riddim feels like a bright seasonal detour, leaning into a quick, party-ready pulse that still leaves room for a little attitude. Beenie Man opens with “Wining Serious, ” while Chi Ching Ching gets two passes at “Party God, ” and that pair anchors a cut of music that also finds room for Ding Dong’s “Ears a Ring” and Voicemail’s “So Blessed, ” all moving over a tight 10-track set with an instrumental tucked at the end. The production keeps the tempo brisk and the hooks clean, with the guest spots from Gully Bop, Tabeta Shae, Alozade and Chico adding just enough rough-and-ready character to stop it sounding polished to the point of blur. The release landed on July 22, 2016, as a 10-song, 22-minute set.