Love Struck Riddim (2014) – Downsound Records

Over a warm lovers-rock groove with a little electronic polish and a soft R and B edge, Love Struck Riddim leans into the sweeter side of mid-2010s reggae without getting syrupy. Downsound Records lined up a strong cast here, with Ce’cile’s “Prayer Request, ” Ishawna’s “Super Star, ” and Khago’s “Heaven In Your Eyes” doing a lot of the heavy lifting, while Harry Toddler, Nature, and Don Husky keep the mood moving across the other cuts. The riddim sits in that lane Downsound had been refining around this period: melodic, radio-friendly, and made for voices that can ride a tender chord change without losing dancehall attitude. Released in 2014, it’s one of those label compilations that quietly documents how modern lovers rock was being framed for the digital era.