Gratitude Riddim (2022) – Overstand Entertainment / Easy Star

Overstand Entertainment’s Gratitude Riddim arrived in April 2022 through Easy Star Records, with Winta James steering the production and the label pairing giving it a clean digital rollout. James is one of reggae’s most trusted modern architects, and this set fits neatly alongside the reflective, roots-minded work his camp has been pushing in recent years.

The riddim itself rides a restrained one-drop pulse with a warm, spacious feel that leaves room for melody, phrasing and message. It has that patient modern roots swing: drums stay unhurried, the bass carries the weight, and the arrangement never crowds the vocals. The mood is devotional without getting stiff, which is why the songs land as personal reflections rather than generic consciousness records.

Jaz Elise opens the set with “Gratitude, ” and her clear, polished tone gives the project an immediate lift. Samory I’s “Love And Mercy” brings the kind of earthy, spiritual authority that has made him a key voice in roots reggae’s current wave. Naomi Cowan’s “The Voice” adds a smoother, more soulful angle, while Mortimer’s “Keep That Fire Lit” gives the riddim one of its strongest emotional pushes with his aching delivery and songwriter’s precision. Kumar’s “When The Smoke Clears” rounds things out with a calm, thoughtful presence, and Ras-I’s “Time Won’t Wait” speaks directly to uplift and youth consciousness.

As a whole, Gratitude Riddim plays like a carefully curated statement rather than a routine juggling. It gives each singer enough space to shape the groove in a different way, while keeping the same reflective atmosphere intact.