Insurgence Riddim – Fire Cracker Records

Capleton is the obvious anchor on Insurgence, and “Lightning And Thunda” gives the riddim its spark with that rough, militant energy he was leaning on so hard in the early 2000s. Fire Cracker Records keeps the whole thing moving with a lean, hot-stepping dancehall groove that leaves plenty of room for I-Wayne’s “Fire Burning Red, ” Sizzla’s “Thought You Be Like Us, ” and Vybz Kartel’s “Friend Of Mine, ” while Latoya’s “Stress” adds a different, more grounded edge. It’s a six-cut set with the version tucked in as “Insurgence, ” and the title fits: this is fiery, street-level dancehall from 2004, when the genre was still finding room for conscious singers and hard-nosed deejays on the same jugglin’ pulse.