Avalanch Riddim – Various Artists

Avalanch Riddim lands in that early-2000s dancehall pocket where the energy is rougher and the hooks are more cut-to-the-bone, and this one comes as a six-song various-artist set rather than a label-driven showcase with a long guest list. Brimstone’s “Fire Bun” and Shakey Ranks’ “Say Dem A Soop” give the rhythm its sharpest edge, while Easy B’s title cut and Spida Man’s “Police Brutality” lean into the kind of streetwise subject matter that suited the era; the production keeps everything tight and percussive, with enough bounce to carry the songs but a harder swing underneath that keeps it from feeling too glossy. Johnathon Drugz and Shangai round out the set, and the full release clocks in at six tracks from six different artists.