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.

Billion Riddim Tracklist:

1. Anthony Que – I’m A Soldier
2. Beenie Man – What We Need Is Jah Love
3. Calvin Richardson – There Goes My Baby
4. Capleton – Leave Out The Gun
5. Carroll Thompson – So Many Lessons
6. Charmine – If It Ain’t One Thing
7. Fantan Mojah – Wi Nuh Rate Vampire
8. Frankie Paul – Now That I Have Found This
9. Freddie Mcgregor – Longer We Live
10. Ginjah – Dem Love To Pretend
11. Gyptian – I’m Stepping Higher
12. Junior Cat – Wash,Cook And Clean
13. Levisil – Why Can’t We
14. Luciano – I Pray For Mamma Africa
15. Lutan Fyah – Hypocritical People
16. Mikey General – 21st Centuary
17. Richie Spice – Here We Go
18. Sylvia Tella – I Feel Alive
19. Tuggy Tuggy – Love Is Better Than War
20. Unknow Artist – Special Kind Of Love
21. Version – Billion Riddim