Alton Rock Riddim – Fireball Records

Fireball Records leaned into a more rootsy, harmony-conscious side on Alton Rock Riddim, and that gives the set a warmer feel than a lot of straight dancehall-era juggling. Produced by Leroy “Suga Roy” Moore, the project was issued in early 2009, though it’s tagged to 2008 in some archive listings, and the line-up leans on names that know how to ride a steady groove: Fanton Mojah on “Rasta Chalice, ” Norris Man on “Government, ” and Peter Spence on “All I Have. ” Suga Roy and Conrad Crystal appear twice, once with Linval Thompson on the uplifting “Youthman Get Ready” and again on “Rock Steady, ” which helps anchor the riddim’s old-school tilt. The sequencing keeps the stronger vocal cuts up front before closing with the version, a small but telling sign that Fire Ball wanted the songs to carry the weight before the instrumental gets its turn.