Billion Riddim – L.I.O.N Music

By 2007, reggae was still deep in that roots-and-conscious lane, and Billion Riddim fits right into that moment with a cast that moves between militant fire and sweeter crossover edges. L. I. O. N Music keeps the groove earthy and steady, the kind of one-drop cushion that lets Capleton, Beenie Man, Fantan Mojah, and Freddie McGregor each come at the riddim from a different angle without breaking its flow. Anthony Que’s “I’m A Soldier” and Capleton’s “Leave Out The Gun” push the hardest on the message side, while Calvin Richardson’s “There Goes My Baby” and Carroll Thompson’s “So Many Lessons” tilt the project toward melody and soul. The closing “Billion Riddim Version” ties it together neatly, leaving the instrumental to carry the weight after the vocals have done their work.