Love Riddim (2004) – Cousins Records

Cousins Records lets the Love Riddim lean on feeling rather than flash, lining up a tidy nine-cut reggae set from Anthony Cruz, Freddie McGregor, George Nooks, Kofi, Leroy Mafia, Lloyd Brown, Morgan Heritage and Tony Curtis. The groove sits in that warm, lover’s-rock pocket where the vocals carry most of the weight, and the version at the end leaves the instrumental open enough to hear how the rhythm breathes underneath. Freddie McGregor’s “One More Dance” and George Nooks’ “Swept Away” keep the mood smooth and seasoned, but Morgan Heritage’s “Joy” is the cut that really ties the whole thing together, with Tony Curtis’ “You’re Love” close behind as a clean, direct finish.