Ethiopian Kings Riddim (More) – Freedom Sounds

This one leans into late-’70s roots energy rather than modern polish, with the familiar Ethiopian Kings title tying it back to the classic Rod Taylor/Freedom Sounds lane. The lineup keeps the chant-and-response spirit alive: Dollar Frost’s “Everyday A Just War, ” Donovan Joseph’s “African Princess, ” I Shock’s “Jah Is Alive, ” and Prince Alla’s “Jah Love” all sit comfortably in that militant, conscious register. Rod Taylor’s original “Ethiopian Kings” was the point of reference for Freedom Sounds’ earlier roots work, and that history hangs over this collection in a useful way. The “More” edition stretches the idea out with repeated pairings and alternate mixes, especially on King Jango and Kapachie’s “Them A War” cuts, so the sequencing feels less like a neat single-riddim parade and more like a producer’s sketchbook, testing the same groove from a few different angles.