Drifter Riddim – Pot Of Gold

Drifter Riddim lines up a proper cross-section of dancehall and roots voices, with Bounty Killer, Johnny Osbourne, Dennis Brown, Cornell Campbell and I Roy all taking a turn over the same Pot Of Gold production. The release dates to 2002, and that helps place it in a moment when Pot Of Gold was leaning hard into riddim-driven singles with a strong old-school pull. The name fits: this one has a drifting, rolling feel rather than a sharp attack, with a deep bass line and a laid-back, slightly rocksteady sway under the vocals. Bounty Killer’s “Petty Thief” gives it the roughest edge, while the versions from Brown, Campbell and Osbourne lean into a more melodic, rootsy delivery. The dub cuts also matter here, keeping the rhythm exposed and letting the low end and skanking guitar do the work.

Drifter Riddim Tracklist:

1. Bounty Killer – Petty Thief
2. Clint Eastwood – Roots Rock Reggae
3. Cornell Campbell – Drifter
4. Dennis Brown – Drifter
5. Dennis Walks – Drifter
6. Don Carlos – Johnnie Big Mouth
7. Harrie Mudie Meets King Tubby – Drifting Dub
8. I Roy – Drifter
9. Johnny Osbourne – Rock And Come In
10. Lone Ranger – Everything She Want
11. Mudies All Stars – Drifter(Dub)
12. Nicodemus – Shaolin Plat
13. Nitty Kutchie – Drifter
14. Ranking Joe – Nine Months Belly
15. Richie Stephens – Dont Burn Your Bridges
16. Wayne Marshall – Perilous Time