Heidi Riddim – Jahtari

Berlin’s Jahtari crew was already deep into that off-kilter digital-dub lane by the time Heidi Riddim landed in 2013, and this one has a tight little four-track cast to match. Maffi’s production sits on a sharp, springy stepper pulse with that sly computerised edge Jahtari does so well, then hands the mic to three voices that each pull a different shade from it: Junior Roy rides “Run Di Session” with youthful bite, Lord Sassafrass brings veteran yardie swagger to “Talking Yardie, ” and Speng Bond closes the circle on “White Horse” with the kind of front-foot phrasing that keeps the riddim moving. The version cut is there too, but the strongest impression comes from the contrast between Junior Roy’s fresh attack and Sassafrass’ seasoned turn, which gives the whole release a generational tension you can feel right through the groove.