Fidelite Riddim – Shamma Sound System

Fidèle, rootsy reggae with a warm pulse and a little churchyard uplift carries Shamma Sound System’s Fidélité Riddim, the kind of cut that leans on melody, hand-played texture and a steady skank rather than brute force. The voices on it push the theme in different directions: Supamicky and Lm Fidem open with the faith-forward “Break Forth, ” Elimbi and Skyline keep the praise lines flowing, while Tobo Ranx, Sir Kaynit’S and Naiky, and Da’Victor add a rougher street-level edge with tracks like “Praise Jah” and “Producer and Mr. Artist. ” Hyer Dan’s “Kool Out” and Mike Baptiste’s “Gwan” give the set a little more bounce, and the closing “My God” from Krysto and Supamicky ties it back to the devotional mood. Released in 2013, it sits right in that period when small-system reggae productions were keeping conscious songwriting front and center.