Media Riddim – Black Roots

Black Roots kept this one in sturdy roots-reggae territory, with a warm one-drop pulse and a dubby edge that leaves plenty of room for the vocals to breathe. Khari Kill’s “Media” opens the set with a sharp, conscious tone, and Mikey General’s “Give Thanks” and Chezidek’s “On the Loose Again” carry that same militant, melodically rooted feel without ever turning heavy-handed. Amenehet and Ras Shiloh add a deeper spiritual grain to the lineup, which gives the riddim a little more lift than a straight single-artist project would. The production date sits in January 2015, and the mix keeps the arrangement clean and unhurried, with the instrumental carrying enough swing to make the final turn into “Righteous Cause” feel like the natural close.