Earth Strong Riddim – Various Artists

Earth Strong opens with a warm, mid-tempo swing that feels more melodic than hard-edged, and that’s where the riddim’s charm lives: Delly Ranks keeps the groove rolling while letting the voices do the talking. On the tune list, Shaggy’s “Party Every Night” and Wayne Wonder’s “Gangsta” helped anchor the original 2011 Pure Music Productions release, while this 2012 lineup leans into lighter, more reflective cuts like J Sly’s “Caribbean Love” and Sibongile’s “I Dont Want To Leave You. ” The producer’s ear for a crowd-friendly dancehall pocket gives the various-artist set a little more air than your average juggling, with Miami Don and Shady’s “Break My Heart” adding a neat hook early on. A quietly catchy set, right down to the instrumental’s easy pull.