Bar Mitzvah Riddim – Skatta Productions

Out of the 2011 soca-leaning dancehall run coming out of Jamaica, Bar Mitzvah Riddim has that bright, clipped Skatta Productions bounce that sits somewhere between party-ready road music and straight-up vocal showcase. Chino’s “Fi Di Gyal Dem” is the cleanest fit for the rhythm’s playful swing, while Elephant Man’s “Calling” pushes it harder and gives the whole set a bit more voltage; Motion’s “Eye Offa Mi” keeps the pace moving without crowding the arrangement. It’s a tight little four-track package, and the version cut leaves enough space for the hooks to snap through. One of those riddims you can hear was made with the dance in mind, right down to the medley-era feel.