By Special Request Riddim – Jammys Records

In late-’80s Kingston, Jammy’s was still shaping the sound of modern reggae, and By Special Request Riddim sits right in that moment with a lean, rootsy juggling built for singers, not slackness. The cut list keeps the mood classy and varied: Al Campbell’s “Midnight Love, ” John Holt’s “Woman Of My Dream, ” Horace Andy’s “Oh Mammy Blue, ” and Jimmy Riley’s “I May Never See My Baby” all lean into smooth, romantic phrasing, while Gregory Isaacs brings that cool-eyed edge on “Ghetto Celebrity. ” There’s also a nice twist with Dean Fraser’s “Addicted To Sax, ” which pushes the riddim into instrumental territory without breaking the flow. But the tune that lingers is Sugar Minott’s “Rub A Dub Market, ” a reminder of how naturally Jammy’s productions could carry a voice with character and weight.