Never Scared Riddim (Baby Ace Remixes)

Out of Jamaica’s 2002 reggae crop, Never Scared Riddim (Baby Ace Remixes) lands as a tight little three-cut set that keeps the focus on the songs rather than the packaging. Baby Ace trims the project down to Buju Banton’s “Laid To Rest” and Garnet Silk’s “Lion Heart, ” then closes with a various artist mix, so the riddim gets a straight, no-frills workout instead of a crowded showcase. Buju’s cut carries the sharper edge here, all authority and bite, while Garnet Silk brings the warmer, more meditative note that gives the selection its shape. With only two named vocalists, the release feels like a snapshot of an era when conscious reggae still had room to breathe, and Buju Banton ends up leaving the deepest mark.