Fallin Leaves Riddim – Stewie Records / Lyrical War Records

Cool, gentle pull. Stewie Records and Lyrical War Records’ 2014 Fallin Leaves Riddim stays direct with five cuts, and that smaller roster gives the whole thing a more curated feel than the usual all-comers juggling act. E’Sat Blaze draws on the title track, while Da’Nandi’s “You Mi Need” and Kayla’s “More Love” keep the mood warm and melodic, sitting on a reggae rhythm that favors smooth phrasing over rough-edged attack. There’s also a bit of extra context here: this project marked one of Dj Stewie’s first moves into production, with the Austrian-linked Lyrical War pairing up to help launch the series. The final word, though, belongs to Nc Dread on “What You Do, ” a track that gives the riddim a sharper closing note.