Drama Riddim (2004) – Secret Records

A quick trip back to Kingston in 2004, this Secret Records cut finds the dancehall lane in that sharp, cheeky mid-2000s mode, with six voices riding one rhythm and no wasted space. Merciless comes in hard on “War Lip, ” while KB’s “Latest Brand” and Ward 21’s “We Are Here Again” give the riddim its most memorable turns, each one leaning into the same taut, bashy swing without sounding copy-pasted. Wimpy Johnson’s production under the Secret Records banner keeps it lean and streetwise, the kind of sound that leaves room for the deejays to jab and pose. Roundhead’s “Rude Bwoy” and Money Man’s “Belvedere” help round out the set, with Merciless still sounding especially sharp in the middle of it all, just before the thing cuts off.