Cristal Riddim – Various Artists

Warm and breezy. Cristal Riddim moves with that mid-2000s roots-reggae polish, all clean guitar skank, rounded bass and a relaxed pulse that leaves plenty of room for the singers to stretch out. Chezidek’s “Struggle Goes On” feels like the anchor here, while Perfect, President Brown and Teflon bring a tougher, more conscious edge against the sweeter turns from Latoya, Lesline and Roxanne. There’s a nice balance between lovers themes and uplift, with tunes like Barinton Turner’s “Love Devotion” and Klarity’s “Ungrateful” keeping the set from settling into one mood for too long. With 18 cuts and a version tucked at the end, this 2007 set captures a period when reggae riddims were still giving space to both roots commentary and radio-friendly melody.