Marshall Riddim – Original Sounds

There’s not much to Marshall Riddim, and that’s part of the charm: Original Sounds kept it tight in 2003, leaving Johnny Osbourne’s “Babylon Judgement Day” to do the heavy lifting while the version cut from Original Allstars holds the groove with a clean, no-frills reggae swing. Osbourne is the clear hook here, his voice carrying the tune with that seasoned, straightforward authority he’s long been known for, and the production keeps out of the way just enough to let the rhythm breathe rather than crowd the vocal. It’s a short two-track set, more a sharp little statement than a full compilation, and that economy gives it a nice vintage feel. Marshall Riddim comes in with just two cuts: Johnny Osbourne – “Babylon Judgement Day” and Original Allstars – “Marshall Version. ”