Guidance Riddim (2020) – Mafia And Fluxy

Guidance Riddim lands as a warm, lovers-rock-leaning reggae set from Mafia and Fluxy, the veteran UK rhythm section led by brothers Leroy and David Heywood out of Tottenham. By 2020, they had already spent decades shaping bass-heavy, musician-led reggae and dub productions, and this one sits comfortably in that catalogue: clean live instrumentation, a relaxed pulse, and enough space in the arrangement for each singer to phrase differently over the same bed.

The riddim runs with four voiced cuts, and that slim roster suits the mood. Megumi Mesaku’s “Buttons Dream” brings a softer, more melodic touch, with her saxophonist background giving her connection to the music a slightly different texture from the usual vocal-only approach. Lenn Hammond’s “How Does It Feel” keeps the emotional centre on classic lovers-reggae sentiment, while Glen Washington’s “Love Is Blossoming” feels like the most natural fit for the set’s romantic sway. Adele Harley’s “That’s All I Need To Know” adds a polished UK reggae voice that sits neatly against the production’s mellow groove.

What makes Guidance Riddim work is the balance between restraint and feel. It does not chase a modern digital bounce; it breathes like a band cut, with the bass carrying the tune and the drums sitting back just enough to let the vocals bloom. That gives the release a lived-in, session-style quality that suits Mafia and Fluxy’s reputation and keeps the project in lovers-reggae territory without sounding lightweight.