Conquerer Riddim – House Of Riddim Productions

2008 was a busy year for European roots reggae, and House Of Riddim’s Conquerer Riddim fits right into that moment with a warm, heavyweight cut that leans on skanking guitar, steady drums, and a serious mid-tempo pulse. The lineup keeps the focus on conscious songs rather than big crossover hooks, with Everton Blender’s “Emergency, ” Jah Mason’s “Shed No Tears, ” Anthony Cruz and Marlene Johnson on “Africa, ” and Utan Green’s “Sunshine” giving the riddim its strongest pull. There’s a nice balance between warning and uplift across the set, and the title track’s version at the end underlines how the production is meant to carry the whole selection as one continuous piece.