Billy Jean Riddim (2016) – Buck Town Productions

Buck Town Productions’ Billy Jean Riddim lands in that 2016 reggae juggling pocket where the vibe is more sturdy than flashy, and the five-cut run keeps the focus on songs with some bite. Bobby Blue’s “Jealousy” and Iashanty’s “Greedy” set the tone with sharp, small-scale storytelling, while Thriller Blacks’ “Water Run Dry” and Walter Saw’s “Sister Sue” lean into the tougher, more reflective side of the rhythm. The production has that plainspoken, mid-tempo bounce that leaves room for the vocals to breathe without getting cluttered, so each artist can ride the pocket cleanly. It’s a tight little catalogue entry from Buck Town, with Natty-G’s “Upfull Meditation” adding the meditative note that rounds out the set. The release lists five tracks in all: Bobby Blue, Iashanty, Natty-G, Thriller Blacks, and Walter Saw.