Mad Out Riddim – 3r40 Records

Mad Out Riddim lands a bit leaner than some of 3R40 Records’ later outings, but that stripped-down approach suits the set. Issued in August 2019, the nine-track project moves fast and keeps the focus on a tight circle of voices, with Babylawd and Sound Government opening things up, Potential Kidd cutting through on “Zesser, ” and Gabbidon’s “Too Much Gyal” giving the riddim one of its sharpest hooks. The production sits in that late-2010s dancehall pocket: clipped drum programming, a nagging synth figure, and enough low-end pressure to keep the whole thing bouncing without getting messy. Jupie, Raspect, Qualityboss, Geguh, Raymine Rich and the others all ride the same framework, which runs at around three-and-a-half minutes per cut and keeps the energy dry, functional and dancefloor-ready.