Cherry Pie Riddim – African Beat Records

Cherry Pie comes off less like a heavyweight dancehall statement and more like a tidy six-cut selection from African Beat Records, with Andybee steering the production and a cast that leans on names like Burro Banton, Alborosie and Top Cat. The familiar “Cherry Pie” title is really a re-lick of the old “Cherry Oh Baby” family, but here it gets a cleaner 2008 rub: dry drums, a steady one-drop pulse, and bass that sits low without crowding the vocal. Burro Banton’s “No Problem” brings the roughest edge, Alborosie’s “I Am” keeps the delivery measured, and Uwe Kaa and Phenomden’s “Nie Genug” adds a more European crossover touch. It’s a compact riddim, moving at an even, mid-tempo pace with just enough swing to let the voices ride.