Impact Riddim – Young Blood Records

IMPACT RIDDIM -? YOUNG BLOOD RECORDS 2005

Young Blood Records’ Impact Riddim sits right in that mid-2000s reggae-compilation pocket where a strong horn-and-bass framework can pull together roots singers and dancehall heavyweights without sounding messy. The cut with Buju Banton, “Fast Lane, ” feels like the obvious anchor, while Beenie Man’s “Pon We” brings the sharper dancehall edge to the set; Bascom X’s “Praise Selassie I” and Singing Sweet’s “Why Must We Suffer” keep the roots side in view. There’s also a nice little curveball in the G combo with Singing Sweet on “Ain’t Taking You Back, ” which adds some extra melody to the riddim’s tougher pulse. With 14 tracks and 12 different artists, including a version cut, this one captures Young Blood in 2005 doing what a lot of labels were chasing then: packing one rhythm with enough voices to make it feel bigger than the beat itself.

Impact Riddim Tracklist:

1. Bascom X – Praise Selassie I
2. Beenie Man – Pon We
3. Briggy Benz Feat Sugar Slick – Been Around The World
4. Buju Banton – Fast Lane
5. Mega Banton – Your Love Is Like Music
6. G – Crackaz
7. G – Mr. Teller Machine
8. G Feat Singing Sweet – Aint Taking You Back
9. Perfect – Street Sign
10. Singer J – Only Love
11. Singing Sweet – Why Must We Suffer
12. Unknown – Nuh Surprise
13. Unknown – Who Responsible
14. Version – Impact