Indian War Dance Riddim – Various Artists

Indian War Dance Riddim keeps it tight with just five cuts, and that small frame gives the selector a bit more room to let each artist leave a mark. The set runs through Agony’s “Freaky, ” Bunji Garlin’s “Gunta, ” Sean Don’s “Girl, ” Tyna’s “Lets Get It On, ” and Viper’s “I Love To See, ” moving with a straight dancehall pulse rather than chasing crossover polish. Bunji Garlin’s presence is the one that really snaps the ear to attention, his delivery cutting through the rhythm with the kind of urgency that made his mid-2000s work easy to pick out in a crowded field. But the riddim itself stays lean and to the point, and Viper closes it with the most memorable finish, leaving the project with a sharp, street-level aftertaste.