Message To The King Riddim – Digilab Productions

Digilab Productions’ Message To The King Riddim sits right in that mid-2000s dancehall pocket where conscious lyrics still had room to ride a stark, militant groove, and the title cut from Mykal Rose gives the set its clearest anchor. Jah Mason’s “Jah Keeps Us Alive, ” Lutan Fyah’s “Dem Ting Deh, ” and Luciano’s “Jah Mercy Endureth” keep the spiritual pressure up, while Louie Culture and Turbulence add a harder edge that cuts through the lineup. The production leans into a dry, propulsive swing with enough space for the voices to carry, which suits the likes of Barbara Naps and Singing Sweet as much as the veterans. Issued in 2005, the riddim runs through 12 cuts, from Alpha Rowan’s “Good Over Evil” down to Turbulence’s “Saviour Divine. ”