Black Roses Riddim (2021) – Chalice Row Records

Mid-tempo and rootsy, Black Roses Riddim has that warm, easy swing that lets the singers settle into the groove without crowding the cut. Chalice Row Records and Giddimani Records line up six voices here, with Luciano’s “If This World Were Mine” and Perfect Giddimani’s “Venus” setting the tone before Mykal Rose steps in on “Cool It Down” with his weathered authority intact. Young Shanty’s “Zion” keeps the uplift in the mix, while Anthony B’s “Mr. Loud” adds a sharper edge without breaking the mood. The project landed in June 2021 and, despite the title’s darker image, the music leans more into smooth uplift than anything heavy-handed. Edward Love closes it out with “Black Roses, ” a fitting last touch for a compact six-track set.