Design Riddim – Greenyard Records

Greenyard Records had a neat little roots-and-culture statement on its hands with the 2010 Design Riddim, a six-track selection that runs from Anthony B’s pleading “Protect Me” to Konshens’ tougher “Never Fall” and Burro Banton’s “Blaze It” with Tony Curtis in tow. The cut that gives the riddim its shape is the instrumentals: a clean, steady reggae pulse with a warm bassline and a tidy forward motion rather than any flashy arrangement, which leaves room for the voices to carry the weight. Sara Lugo’s “Part Of My Life” brings a lighter, more melodic edge to the sequence, while Mark Wonder’s “Fighting Soldiers” keeps the militant tone in view. Greenyard, a French outfit already known around the scene, kept this one concise and functional, leaning on a mid-tempo groove, clipped drums, and a bass pattern that stays locked in throughout.