I And I Riddim (2013) – Black Trees Records

Basie’s “Fix That” feels like the handiest entry point into Black Trees Records’ 2013 I And I Riddim, a bright, roots-leaning juggling that keeps the arrangements lean and the hooks conversational. The selector’s ear lands well across the set too: Colyn Mc Donald’s “Run Around” and Lady Di’s “Jump” lean into the lighter side of the groove, while Marvin Thompson’s “Shell My Peas” and Troy Gray’s “Barber Shop Talks” bring a more playful, storytelling edge. Black Trees keeps the rhythm moving without crowding the singers, which is part of why the whole thing sits comfortably among early-2010s reggae releases that favored clean percussion and easy skanking bass over heavy studio polish. It’s the kind of compilation that fits neatly into the label’s catalogue: straight-ahead, local in feel, and built for repeated turns rather than one big anthem.