Chatenay Riddim – Block Op Music Industry

Still sounding fresh enough to sit comfortably beside the brighter 2013 dancehall crop, Chatenay Riddim from Block Op Music Industry pulls together seven vocal cuts and a version on a nimble, melodic swing that leaves room for the singers to work the pocket. Jahyanai King’s “Yé Piès” comes in with a sharper edge, while Teven Morris’ “Girl Mwen Love” leans more into the lovers side of the riddim, giving the set a softer hook. Keily Naye’s “You Know” and Ony Montanos’ “Slide Pon Me” keep the mood moving between flirtation and straight-up dancefloor chat, which is really the point here. Block Op kept the lineup tight and varied, and that gives Chatenay a nice local flavor without overloading it; as a 2013 drop, it sits right in that era when compact one-riddim sets were doing serious work across dancehall.