Mad Kick Riddim – Gg Records

Coming out of the 2010 dancehall run, Mad Kick Riddim from GG Records lands with a veteran-heavy lineup and a sharp, no-frills pulse that feels made for the soundsystem. Anthony B opens with “Hide Dem A Hide, ” Beenie Man slides in on “You Alone, ” and Lady Saw keeps the pressure on with “I Can Testify, ” while Macka Diamond’s “Pack Your Tings” adds a sly, chatty edge to the middle of the set. The project stays compact at seven tracks, but it still finds room for a couple of pairings, including Rich Kid with Ghost on “Need For Speed” and Rich Kid with Mzminiray on “Hero, ” which gives the riddim a little extra movement without breaking its stride. If there’s a tune that leaves the deepest mark here, it’s Beenie Man’s cut, the kind of commanding delivery that locks the whole riddim into place.