Earthman Riddim – The Merchant Records

Earthman Riddim rolls with a rootsy, weighty swing, all firm bass, patient drums and enough melodic lift to let the vocals breathe. Merchant Records keeps the mood meditative rather than flashy, and the four-cut line-up fits that direction well, with Akae Beka’s Principles bringing the steadiest chant energy, Ras Hassen Ti leaning into the title tune, and Iman’s Earthman giving the set its most direct statement. Tamrin meets Samson Benji’s Hornsman adds a little extra edge in the middle, the kind of cut that reminds you Merchant has a knack for framing conscious singers without crowding the riddim. It sits neatly alongside the label’s more serious-minded productions, a concise 2021 drop that feels like part of a catalogue built for dubwise heads and roots devotees rather than quick novelty plays.