High Tide Riddim (2021) – Roots Alley Records

Roots Alley Records’ High Tide Riddim sits neatly in the label’s 2021 catalogue, and the small but carefully chosen lineup gives it a focused feel rather than a crowded one. Released on December 18, 2021, the project pairs Black Loyalty, Jah Defender, Addis Pablo and Jahriffe with a dub cut from Roots Alley Collective, which is a nice clue that the producer was thinking about more than just straight vocal versions. Addis Pablo’s “Melodic Tide” feels like the centerpiece, with Jah Defender’s “Hail H. I. M” and Black Loyalty’s “Give My Heart” keeping the set grounded in roots-minded dancehall. The sequencing moves from the vocal tracks into the title dub, so the riddim closes by letting the instrumental breathe and leaving the rhythm itself to do the final talking.