Fire Stick Riddim (2004) – Ice Burg Records

Warm and rootsy, with a little edge in the phrasing, Fire Stick Riddim finds Ice Burg Records lining up a strong early-2000s cast around a steady reggae groove. Anthony B’s “Tax Man, ” Luciano’s “Fly Away, ” and Morgan Heritage’s “Rebel” give the set its backbone, while Half Pint’s “King Selassie” and Courtney Melody’s “Chucky Nuh Lucky” keep it moving with that veteran-to-younger crossover energy. The riddim itself leans more conscious than crossover, leaving room for Bingy Moses, Determine, and Jah Mason and Angel to work the pocket without crowding it. Turbulence’s “Never Going Stop” and the version cut round out the package nicely, but Luciano’s cut is the one that hangs in the air longest.