Kraken Riddim – Dutch Productions

A dark, rolling soca groove with a little menace in the low end is what hits first on Kraken Riddim, and Dutch Productions keep it lean enough for the vocals to cut straight through. D Sean’s “Born Brave” rides the pulse with a steady, determined edge, while Qpid’s “Release De Kraken” leans right into the title’s stormy energy; Ricky T’s “Chanting, ” with Mongstar Ambi and Qpid alongside, gives the riddim its busiest moment and feels like the one built to pull a crowd in. There are only three cuts here, which keeps the whole thing tight and to the point, and that brevity suits the 2012 release date well enough.