Extra Fresh Riddim – Kangal

Recorded in Jamaica in 1987, Extra Fresh Riddim catches that late-80s digital transition with a brisk, lean groove that still leaves room for melody and personality. Kangal’s production gives the cut a dry, punchy bassline and a clipped drum feel, the kind of rhythm that lets voices ride the pocket without crowding it. Echo Minott’s “Mad Over Me” is the one that jumps out, but the set also finds strong turns from Horace Andy on “Conscious Lyrics” and Screwdriver on “Run Johnny, ” with Anthony Redrose, Louis Culture, Junie Ranks, Ashman, and Yellow Bird keeping the energy varied across the eight-song spread. Burtland “Kangal” Dixon’s name turns up attached to the production, and you can hear that hands-on studio discipline in the way the rhythm keeps moving while still sounding spare.