Cheerful Riddim – Jah Snowcone Records

Jah Snowcone’s Cheerful Riddim lands right in that mid-2000s stretch when the label was sharpening its dancehall identity, and this one has the kind of bright, springy pulse that lets the vocals do the heavy lifting. Beenie Man and Miss Thing turn up the heat on “She’s Horny, ” Elephant Man cuts through with “Love Tell Lie, ” and General Degree’s “Elegant” keeps the juggling playful rather than mechanical. There’s a nice run of voices here too, from Cecile’s cheeky “Tell Me What U Like” to Mr. Vegas and Red Rat, which gives the set a familiar but lively yard-party feel. Coming after Jah Snowcone’s earlier 2005 “Applause” work, this sits neatly in the label’s run of slick, radio-ready dancehall riddims with enough bounce to stay memorable.