Love And Only Love Riddim – Ruff Cutt Music

Fred Locks sets the tone here with “Love And Only Love, ” and that’s a smart way into Ruff Cutt Music’s 2021 riddim, because his rootsy delivery sits right on top of a warm, easy-swaying reggae pulse that feels made for big, reflective voices. Prince Allah’s “Man On Board” keeps the same spiritual current running, while Gwalla Gwalla brings a lighter, more direct love-message angle on “Love Is The Only Way, ” giving the set a nice bit of contrast without breaking the mood. Ruff Cutt Music keep it tight with just four cuts, and the inclusion of Ruff Cutt Band UK’s version gives the riddim a band-led, live-minded finish that fits the project’s plainspoken charm. A small, neatly turned-out selection, really, and that version at the end hangs around after the vocals fade.