Dreams Riddim (2007) – Birchill Records

Soft-edged roots reggae with a late-’90s-to-mid-2000s digital feel runs through Dreams Riddim, where Birchill keeps the tempo relaxed enough for melody but still steady enough for the singers to lean into the groove. Alborosie and Nikie, Cherine Anderson, Christopher Martin and Maxi Priest are the names that jump out here, with Christopher Martin’s “Looking For Love” and Maxi Priest’s “What’s Going On With You” sitting neatly alongside Chuck Fenda’s tougher “Dreams” cut. The sequencing keeps the vocal versions moving one after another, with Chris Birch’s own title track in the middle of the set tying the whole thing back to the production. Released in 2007, the project runs 12 tracks and includes 14 unique artists.