Ghetto Trials Riddim – J 1 Records

Ghetto Trials Riddim draws on the harder edge of roots reggae, with tunes like Don Husky’s “Sail Away” and Nature’s “Every Youth Is A Star” carrying the kind of streetwise pressure the title promises. J 1 Records keeps the set moving with a strong cast of voices — Christine, Diamond Kelly, Jay Bad, and Nuh Breaks all take a swing at the same riddim, but it’s the sharper social commentary that gives the project its shape. The production comes off like a 2015 showcase built for conscious selectors, and the extra “Freedom” cut from Timmy Don and Diamond Kelly is a neat little touch, almost like a second glance at the same struggle.