Condom Riddim (1995) – Sampalue

Garfield “Sampalue” Phillips put this 1995 dancehall juggling under his own name, and the project sits inside the era when his work was already tied to the Diamond Rush camp and the kind of straight-ahead digital dancehall that could carry both singjay and deejay cuts. The riddim title may sound playful, but the music is more practical than gimmicky: lean drums, a clipped bassline, and a stark groove that leaves room for performers to cut through with attitude.

The lineup is tight and to the point. Baby Wayne opens with “Riding, ” bringing his raw, patois-heavy delivery to a cut that rides the rhythm in a stripped, streetwise style. Lady Saw’s “Condom” is the obvious anchor, and it matters because by this point she had already established herself as one of dancehall’s most fearless voices, mixing blunt sexuality with sharp command. Papa San’s “Sexy Gal” adds veteran energy and a more melodically bent flow, while Little Hero’s “What It Takes” gives the riddim a more rooted, conversational feel.

What makes the set interesting is how the same groove can hold different shades of voice without losing shape. It is a mid-’90s dancehall piece that stays close to the street and the sound system, with enough space for each singer to stamp personality on a beat that is spare, direct, and built for juking.