Change My Mind Riddim – Stingray 2019

Freddie McGregor fronts Change My Mind Riddim with the kind of easy authority that has made him one of reggae’s most dependable voices for decades. Stingray Records put the set out in 2019, and the London-based label has long been run by the McLeod brothers, with Carlton “Dillie” McLeod handling much of the production and engineering side. That gives the riddim a familiar Stingray polish: clean, singer-friendly, and rooted in classic lovers rock and roots reggae rather than anything hurried or overworked.

The groove has a soft, meditative sway, with a laid-back drum pattern, warm bassline, and a smooth melodic top line that leaves plenty of room for the singers to stretch out. The title cut, “Change My Mind, ” sets the tone with McGregor’s seasoned phrasing, while Andrew Cassanova’s “Magic Woman” and Twiggi’s “Incapable” push the same romantic current in different directions. Jah Device’s “You’ll Be There Before You Know” and Chardel Rhoden’s “Wings To Fly” bring a more devotional lift, and Yashema McLeod’s “Cry No More” keeps the mood tender. Jayjay Born2sing’s “It’s You” and Derrick Campbell’s “Soul Mate” round out the set with straightforward lovers themes that sit naturally on the rhythm.

What makes the project work is the balance between veteran weight and newer voices. Freddie McGregor anchors it, but Stingray lets the younger singers breathe, and the riddim itself has enough melodic softness to support each one without losing its shape.