Neighborhood Riddim – Jafa Sound

Neighborhood Riddim by Jafa Sound arrived in 2022 as a reggae release with five vocal cuts and three version-style mixes, led by Jahdan Blakkamore’s Can’t Tolerate Dat, Joseph Cotton’s Auckland Special, Publik Report’s Black Heart, Rubi Du’s D and G, and Young Garvey’s Created Equally. The project was produced by Rob Smith, with Jafa Sound framing the riddim around a warm, rootsy foundation and then opening it out with dub, melodica, and trombone cuts. That mix gives the release a nice balance between the singers and the instrumental side, and it also brings in a few strong character voices, especially Jahdan Blakkamore and Joseph Cotton. Recorded and mixed in West Auckland, it feels rooted in a very specific scene while still keeping a broad reggae appeal.