Belly Flat Riddim – Blackstarliner Records

Belly Flat Riddim from Blackstarliner Records lands in that early-2010s dancehall pocket where the groove is lean, the bass is blunt, and the vocals ride a stark, no-frills pattern. The title cut by African Shumba sets the tone, while names like Mikey D on “Ganjaman, ” Daddy Spencer from South Africa on “My Zion Train, ” and Ibel (Jamaica) on “Champion Bubbla” give the project a wider regional spread than the average local juggling. Blackstarliner keeps the arrangement dry and functional, with a skanking backbone and a low-end pulse that leaves plenty of room for patois-heavy hooks and chant-style phrasing. It’s a tidy 2012 dancehall set with enough movement in the voice work to keep the riddim from sitting too straight, and the final impression is all about that clipped tempo and the heavy, rolling bass line underneath it.

Belly Flat Riddim Tracklist:

1. African Shumba – Belly Flat
2. Mega Jani – Do Yu Best
3. Ibel (Jamaica) – Champion Bubbla
4. Mikey D – Ganjaman
5. Yuntiman – Chikwereti
6. Prophet – Inna Di Ghetto
7. Daddy Spencer (S.A) – My Zion Train
8. Ali Jay & Tingz – Majambwa
9. Avalanche – Hardships
10. King Labash – Size
11. Mr Heinz – Empress
12. Jnr King – Blackberry
13. Bizzy Symptom – Worry Dem
14. Ras Lnt – Long Inna Di Ghetto
15. Korianda (S.A) – Musikana Wangu
16. Katsa B – My Girl
17. Spyda & Scorpion – Friends
18. Townman – Go Go Dancer
19. Vinnyman – Maifunga
20. Avalanche – Can’T You See