Atariq Riddim – Kinky Music

Low-slung pulse. Kinky Music’s Atariq Riddim leans into a rootsy, mid-2000s dancehall groove with enough bounce for the singers to cut through cleanly, and Capleton’s “Longest Time” gives it the sharpest edge, all fire and conviction. Fantan Mojah’s “Unity” keeps the message-forward tone intact, while Mykal Rose brings that veteran calm on “World Is In Trouble, ” a nice reminder of how well his voice sits on a straight-ahead riddim. Kinky Music weren’t chasing gimmicks here; this one feels like part of a run of compact, no-frills juggling sets from that period, with the emphasis on strong voices over studio tricks. In the end, Atariq sits neatly in the label’s 2007 catalogue as one of those releases built for selectors who want conscious songs and a tidy mix of frontline names.