Mile High Riddim (2016) – Overstand Entertainment

A good chunk of Mile High Riddim lives in that late-summer 2016 sweet spot where roots reggae was leaning hard on clean live-band feel and conscious songwriting, and Overstand Entertainment keeps the five-cut set tight enough for every voice to land. Morgan Heritage open with “Selah, ” a heavy, reflective cut that sets the mood, while Jesse Royal’s “Black Woman” and Mortimer’s “Nice Up Di Scene” give the riddim its sharpest lift, with Runkus adding a younger, rougher edge on “Talk Pon Road. ” Bush Man’s “Hungry Days” keeps the social commentary front and center, so the whole thing moves like a compact roots juggling rather than a sprawling compilation. The production is all about steady drum-and-bass pressure, crisp guitar chops, and a relaxed mid-tempo pulse that leaves the vocals plenty of room to ride.