Meltdown Riddim (2012) – Soul Rebel Sound / Mr Mento Prod

A deep, rubbery dancehall pulse runs through Meltdown Riddim, with enough low-end muscle to hold Bugle’s sharp “Know My Name, ” Cali P’s militant “Bun Dem Herbs” and Charly Black’s swaggering “M. O. N. E. Y” without losing its stride. Soul Rebel Sound and Mr. Mento were making their first production statement here in October 2012, and the lineup has that Swiss-to-Jamaica-to-Europe crossover feel, with Phenomden, Stereo Luchs, Etzia and Jahmiel all cutting through the same stern, bass-heavy framework. The selections move between straight bashment, singjay talk and a few more melodic turns, so the riddim never sits in one pocket for too long. By the time Tripple Bad rolls out “Wine And Cotch, ” the whole thing has settled into a confident, road-ready groove that gives the compilation its final kick.