Bandolero Riddim – One Love Records

Bandolero Riddim comes out of that early-2000s reggae-dancehall pocket where the drum pattern is lean, the bassline stays on its toes, and the vocals do the heavy lifting. Burro Banton’s “Millionaire” brings his rough-edged delivery into the money-talk zone, while Chuck Fenda’s “Put Down The Gun” pushes the conscious side of the set without losing the tension. The real heat, though, is in the odd-couple pairing of Pinchers and Bounty Killer on “Bandilero, ” which gives the riddim its hardest shout and the closest thing here to a crew anthem. Tanya Stephens’ “Life” adds a sharper, more reflective note, balancing the tougher cuts. Produced by One Love Records, it fits neatly into 2004’s wave of compact studio riddims that let a handful of strong voices carry the whole thing.