Love Train Riddim (2018) – Nebilus Records

Nebilus Records’ Love Train Riddim arrived in 2018 with a warm, mid-tempo reggae pulse that feels polished but still rooted in the old-school tradition of sing-jay juggling. Behind the project is Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown, a keyboardist and producer whose work in the scene has long tied musicianship to riddim craft, and that musical touch comes through in the sheen of the arrangements and the easy sway of the groove.

The riddim pulls in a wide cross-section of voices, from veterans to newer names. Morgan Heritage’s “Got It Going On, ” Gappy Ranks’ “The Best I Can, ” Voicemail’s “Hold On Tight, ” Junior Kelly’s “Taking Over, ” Million Stylez’s “Virtuous Woman, ” and Pressure’s “Once In A Lifetime” give the set its strongest reggae backbone. Chevaughn’s “From A Distance, ” Jemere Morgan’s “Be Mine, ” and House of Shem’s “Candy Crush” add a softer, lover’s-rock tilt, while Elephant Man’s “Only You” and Blvk H3ro’s “Right Choice” push the project into a more contemporary dancehall-reggae crossover space. The selection also includes Kae Music, Raging Fyah, Publik Report, Symatic, Bescenta, Evin Lake, and Klyve, filling out a broad roster.

What makes Love Train Riddim work is the balance between romance, conscious writing, and plain vocal chemistry. The rhythm is smooth rather than heavy, with enough bounce for dancehall cuts but enough glide for harmony-driven songs. It is one of those late-2010s reggae productions that sounds designed for juggling, yet still leaves room for each artist to bring a distinct tone to the same musical frame.