In My Brain Riddim – Kickin Productions

Kickin Productions has long been one of those quiet anchor labels in reggae, and Norman “Bull Puss” Bryan has kept the name moving for decades with rootsy, singer-friendly juggling work. In My Brain arrived on June 22, 2018, and sits squarely in that lane: a modern rub-a-dub cut with a warm, steady pulse, a lean bassline and enough air in the arrangement for the voices to carry the weight. The groove feels built for conscious selection rather than big digital flash, with the riddim holding a relaxed swing instead of rushing the tempo.

The lineup is well chosen. Capleton opens with Draw Your Bow, bringing his firebrand delivery to a rhythm that can handle both militancy and melody. Iba Mahr’s Oops Goes My Heart adds a more polished lover’s edge, while Ginjah’s Trouble In Paradise and George Nooks’ Only Woman pull the project deeper into rootsy, grown-man territory. Eljai’s Don’t Need To Change and Rockas Element’s When It Hits keep the juggling moving with younger voices in the mix.

The cut that gave the riddim its widest lift was Unity We Need, the Chronixx and Richie Spice combination. That pairing connects two generations of conscious reggae in one song, and the title fits the mood of the whole release: steady, unforced, and guided by message more than gimmick. For a 2018 roots compilation, In My Brain has the feel of a producer who knows exactly how much space to leave in a track and exactly which singers can fill it.