Hill Top Riddim (2011) – Digitalize Records

Digital Sham and Kos Bella give Hill Top Riddim its sharpest edge, their twin takes on “Wi An Di Gyal Dem” sitting right at the center of Digitalize Records’ 2011 dancehall set. The eight-track package keeps a compact format, with Baby K’s “Woman Beatta, ” Denado’s “Stay Far From The Gun, ” Hypepison’s “Entourage, ” Ju Ju Ire’s “Attractive and Charming, ” and Karamanti’s “Gwaan Deejay” all circling the same tough, streetwise mood. The version cut from Digitalize Records sits in the middle like a calling card, but it’s the Digital Sham/Kos Bella pairing that gives the riddim its most memorable swing, especially when the raw cut pushes the deejay energy a little harder than the cleaner take. The whole thing runs lean at just over 19 minutes, and Karamanti’s closer leaves the final word in a confident deejay style.