Budz Riddim – Various Artists

Budz Riddim comes in less like a big name-heavy dancehall project and more like a tight little roots session with a clear point of view. Richard Bramwell, working under Bread Back, keeps the cast lean: Daddy and Hypa on “Power of Dub, ” Messalie on “Power of Music, ” Murray Man on “I Cry Music, ” then the version closes it out without any extra clutter. Bread Back’s better known for later work like the Fresh Budz and Brighter Shade projects, so this 2006 set catches the earlier, more stripped-back side of the catalog. The titles tell you plenty too: all three vocals orbit music itself, with dub, praise and reflection sitting over the same cut, and the sequencing moves from the most expansive chant to the bare instrumental, like the producer wanted the riddim to speak last.