Hard Drugs Riddim – Delperies Records

Coming out of Jamaica’s 2005 reggae run, Hard Drugs Riddim has that gritty, mid-2000s studio energy where the title sounds tougher than the groove really is — the cut has a rolling, bass-heavy swing that leaves room for big voices to lean in and cut through. Delperies Records lines up a strong cast here, and the sharpest tension comes when Buju Banton and Anthony Cruz ride “Too Bloody, ” a pairing that sits nicely against Capleton’s firebrand “Mek It Blaze” and Chuck Fenda’s hungry, street-level “Hungry Attack. ” There’s plenty more heat in the list, from Anthony B’s “Hot Stuff” with Prestige and L Devon to Luciano and Frisco Kid, which tells you this was built for singers and deejays who could make a one-riddim set feel varied. A deep cut from the year, and the kind of compilation that still feels dug up from the stash.

Hard Drugs Riddim Tracklist:

1. Anthony B Prestige And L Devon – Hot Stuff
2. Bascom X – Bascom Love
3. Buju Banton And Anthony Cruz – Too Bloody
4. Capleton – Mek It Blaze
5. Chuck Fenda – Hungry Attack
6. Cobra – Too Much Brain A Fry
7. Fanton Mojah And Singing Flash – Authentic Love
8. Flourgon – Food For The Poor
9. Frisco Kid – Crazy And Wild
10. Leon Danger – Me Alone
11. Luciano – Too Much Too Long
12. Lukie D – Your Love
13. Mickeylous – Sticky
14. Perfect – For My Family
15. Pinchers – Fire
16. Ras Ghandi – 9 Months Pregnant
17. Richie Spice – Operation King Fish
18. Sizzla – Come Give Me Love
19. Spanner Banner – Bright Fire
20. Thrilla U – She Cant Hold Off