High Times Riddim (2012) – Head Concussion Records

Sharp cut. Head Concussion’s High Times Riddim lands with that mid-2012 dancehall snap, running six tracks deep and keeping the lineup tight: Hollow Point’s “Nah Laugh, ” Erup’s “Forever, ” Rasco’s “Rude Bwoy Rankin, ” and Chan Dizzy’s “Herbalist” in clean and raw takes, with the version tucked in at the end. The riddim itself feels lean and tense, the kind of straight-ahead bounce that leaves room for the lyrics to bite, and Rasco’s “Rude Bwoy Rankin” was pushed as an old-school street tale when it came out. Chan Dizzy’s “Herbalist” is the one that really hangs in the air, especially with the clean and raw cut-back giving the tune extra reach, while Erup keeps things moving with a sleek, singjay turn on “Forever. ”