Gyal Touch Riddim – Various Artists

2008 was a busy year for soca riddims, and Gyal Touch sits right in that Carnival-run up zone with just four cuts and a tight, no-frills feel. Michelle Sylvester’s “That Thing You Do” keeps things flirty and bright, while Maximus Dan comes in with “Outlaw, ” which leans harder and gives the riddim some bite; Ziggy Ranking’s “I Buy That” adds a playful, street-level edge. It’s the kind of short, focused release that made sense in that era, when producers were pumping out quick-turnaround party tools for the season and one strong instrumental could carry a whole vibe across the road.