Computer Rule Riddim – Harry J Records

Harry J Records was right in the thick of reggae’s digital turn when Computer Rule came through in 1986, riding that lean, machine-made pulse that sat just behind the Sleng Teng shockwave but had its own rough edge. On this one, the matchup with Frankie Paul feels especially sharp: “Ethiopian Here I Come” rides the groove with that easy, clipped confidence he could make sound effortless, while Cutty Ranks and Charlie Chaplin bring the tougher, more playful side of the set. There’s a nice spread of voices here too, from Carl Meeks to Little John, and the whole thing hangs together like a snapshot of dancehall when the computer sound was still fresh enough to feel like a new language, right down to Glen Dacosta’s “Computer Special” and the sly title nod in the side pocket.

Computer Rule Riddim Tracklist:

1. Blinkie – Loving Stylie
2. Carl Meeks – Red Eye Lover
3. Charlie Chaplin – Bionic Man
4. Cutty Ranks – Blue Mountain Coffee
5. Frankie Jones – One Foot Jump
6. Frankie Paul – Ethiopian Here I Come
7. Glen Dacosta – Computer Special
8. Ishie Ranking -? Hot Up Riddim
9. Jah Screw – Boom Shock Attack
10. Keith Sterling & The Turbos – Computer Broom
11. Little John – Come Back To Me
12. Mr Lee – Take Me Across The Ocean
13. Pad Anthony – What A Rydim
14. Ugli Man – Computer
15. Vintagedancehall – Computer Rule Vol 2 1986 08 Cocoa Tea Boops Fi Dem
16. Vintagedancehall – Computer Rule Vol 2 1986 10 King Kong Ninja Me Ninja
17. [Computer Rule]Screwdriver – Unknown