Good Good Lovn Riddim – Mafia/Flux

Mafia and Fluxy keep this one in their sweet spot: a lovers rock-leaning reggae riddim with clean, mid-tempo swing, soft edges, and enough bass weight to hold a whole juggling session together. Good Good Lovn Riddim landed in 2017 on Omari/Skinny Bwoy Records, and the pair’s long history as one of British reggae’s most dependable rhythm teams gives the release extra pull. Leroy “Mafia” and David “Fluxy” Heywood have been cutting and producing from London for decades, and this sits comfortably in the lane they’ve long owned: polished, melodic, and rooted in live bass-and-drums feel.

The vocal lineup is stacked with singers who know how to work a love tune. Lukie D’s “Slow Down” brings a smooth, patient delivery, while Tony Curtis turns “I Wanna Make It With You” into a straight-up plea over the cushiony groove. Christopher Ellis’ title cut is the warmest point of entry, with that modern roots-soul tone he has become known for. Anthony Malvo’s “Give Thanks” adds a more reflective touch, while Sadiki, Nereus Joseph, Shandi, Tenna Star, and Jah Wiz each frame the rhythm from a different angle without breaking its mood.

What makes the riddim work is the balance: it never rushes, but it never drifts either. The instrumental from Mafia and Fluxy underlines the arrangement nicely, letting the bassline, skanking guitar, and restrained keyboard work do the talking. It is a lovers selection with enough body for the selector, and enough feeling for the dancer.