Cousin Riddim – Black Scorpio

Released in 1999 on Black Scorpio, Cousin Riddim pulls together a compact set of voices on one rhythm, with Frankie Paul, Mega Banton, Richie Spice, Sanchez, and Spanner Banner all taking a turn. Mega Banton’s Blaze Fire is one of the sharper cuts here, while Richie Spice’s Living In Fear and Frankie Paul’s Can’t Wait bring extra weight to the lineup. The riddim is tied to Maurice Jack Scorpio Johnson, whose Black Scorpio imprint has long been a familiar name in Jamaican reggae and dancehall. With five vocal selections and no filler, it feels like a neatly drawn late-’90s showcase from a label that knew how to pair strong singers and deejays with a memorable backing track.

Cousin Riddim Tracklist:

1. Frankie Paul – Can’t Wait
2. Mega Banton – Blaze Fire
3. Richie Spice – Living In Fear
4. Sanchez – All The Things
5. Spanner Banner – Almost Doesn’t Count