Hard Times Riddim (2013) – Sq Records

SQ Records’ Hard Times Riddim came out in 2013 with a lean five-track lineup, which gives it a tighter, more focused feel than the bigger juggling sets that were circulating around then. The project leans on a straightforward reggae groove rather than any flashy studio trickery, with the songs resting on a steady bassline, clipped guitar skank, and a patient drum pattern that leaves room for the singers to carry the weight. Lucci Gabana’s “Never Stop Trying, ” alongside Capleton and Contractor, is the cut that gives the riddim its hardest edge, while Angele Smith’s “Money Can’t Buy Love” and Sample King’s “Hustle” keep the theme rooted in everyday struggle and forward motion. It’s a compact release, but the pace stays measured and the low end does most of the talking throughout.