Brazilian Jab Riddim – 4th Dimension Records

Brazilian Jab Riddim from 4th Dimension Records leans into the rougher Carnival-side of soca, with a jab-heavy pulse that feels made for road and morning jam energy rather than polished crossover sheen. The 2017 release keeps things tight with just four cuts, and that compact format suits the music: Keith Currency’s “Fire Fi Dat” and the Luni Sparks and Electrify combination on “Whole Heap Ah Mas” push the rhythm with plain-spoken party talk, while New Starzz’s “No Long Talking” keeps the pressure on. Tallpree’s “Welcome To Jouvert” feels like the natural closer, since his voice has always carried that gritty fetes-and-mas charge, and the tune leaves the riddim on the kind of blunt, infectious note this project is built for.