Johnny Blaze Riddim – Jbr|Rebel Liberation Records

Dusty tones. Johnny Blaze Riddim comes out of Rebel Liberation Records’ Nairobi corner with that early-2010s rootsy-digital energy, less glossy crossover and more a stubborn, band-played pulse underneath the vocals. The line-up leans wide rather than uniform: Da’ville’s “I Wonder” and Knii Lante’s “Corruption” bring the cleaner singjay pressure, while Dan I’s “Above The Odds, ” Iwan’s “Rastafari Rising, ” and Sean Taylor’s “Not More Than Me” keep the conscious edge in focus. There’s a nice contrast too between Tony Anthony’s weary “Can I Get Some Sleep” and Stone Bwoy’s tougher “Run Go, ” which gives the riddim a bit of movement without losing its steady stride. But the sharpest moment lands with Knii Lante, whose cut sits right in the pocket of the riddim’s brooding, militant feel.