Axum Riddim – Various Artists

Anchored by the kind of early-2000s dancehall energy that liked a big chorus and a blunt headline, the Axum Riddim pulls in a tidy four-track lineup with Sizzla and Demus opening on the weed anthem “Smoke Good Marijuana, ” Beenie Man linking with Bruce Blems on the streetwise “In Da Streets, ” and Turbulence sounding especially sharp on “Can’t Dis Rastaman. ” The sequencing is lean and straight to the point, with no padding between vocal cuts, so the riddim keeps its focus on the voices rather than any extended version work. Boom Viniyard closes it out with “Caribbean Girls, ” giving the set a lighter, more playful finish. Released in 2008, Axum Riddim lists six unique artists across its four songs.