Entertainment Riddim 1983

Entertainment Riddim from 1983 sits right in that early-’80s reggae-to-dancehall pocket, with a lean, bass-heavy pulse that leaves plenty of room for the singers to work the groove. Dennis Brown’s “Love Got A Hold On Me” is the name that jumps out first, and it sits alongside sharp cuts from Icho Candy, Lady Ann, Robert French, Tristan Palmer, and Yami Bolo, all keeping the same rhythm moving in different directions. The title track from Tristan Palmer gives the riddim its own identity, while Lady Ann’s “Informer” adds a sly deejay edge that cuts through the more melodic voices. It’s a six-track set with six different artists, a compact snapshot of the era’s sound, and the lineup ends with Yami Bolo’s “Father Vex and Strike Back. ”