Cool And Deadly Riddim (2011) – Kemar Flava Mcgregor

Kemar Flava McGregor’s Cool And Deadly Riddim sits a little warmer and more song-driven than some of his tougher dancehall packages, leaning into a polished reggae feel and a grown-up singer lineup rather than pure bashment weight. It first surfaced in late October 2011 as part of his Riddims of Flava McGregor series, which helps place it in the middle of that productive run. Buju Banton and Jovi Rockwell’s “Lonely Night” and Marcia Griffiths’ “Stay Forever” bring real class to the set, while Maxi Priest, Cecile, Sanchez and Sadiki keep the mood moving with different shades of lovers rock and roots restraint. The sequencing runs from duet to female voices to veteran crooners, which feels very deliberate, like McGregor wanted the riddim to breathe and keep its head rather than charge straight through.