New Tek Riddim – Dmaestro Music Productions

In 2010, when roots reggae was still leaning hard on conscious lyrics and modern one-riddim packages were carrying a lot of the scene’s energy, D’Maestro Music Productions cut New Tek Riddim as a broad singer’s showcase with Frankie Paul, Lutan Fyah, Exco Levi, Nana McLean and Elaine “Lil Bit” Shepherd among the voices. The project moves in a clean, mid-tempo groove with a warm bass line, steady drum pulse and enough space for the melodies to breathe, which lets the vocalists carry the message without clutter. Danny Maestro had already built a name as a producer and engineer in Canada, and this release became one of his most recognised works, helped in part by Shepherd’s “Likkle But Mi Tallawah, ” a track that would go on to win a Juno. The riddim stays measured and unfussy, with the bass pattern doing most of the talking underneath the hook-heavy delivery.

New Tek Riddim Tracklist:

1. Boyo ‘Nachiloius’ Hammond – Counterfeit
2. Carla Marshall – Change Da Dress
3. Elaine ‘Lil Bit’ Sheperd – Likkle But Mi Tallawah
4. Exco Levi – Wings Of Love
5. Frankie Paul – Love You Forever
6. Influential – Only Jah Never Fail Me
7. Junyah Hammond – Emotional
8. Lutan Fyah – No Love Fi De Youths
9. Nadera – Tit For Tat
10. Nana Mclean – Jungle Out Deh
11. Pachino – True Love (Ft Jessica David)
12. Princess Anla – Only Love
13. Steele – Reason To Love
14. Tasha T. – New Day
15. Terminal Dg – Without A Cause
16. Tinga Stewart & Princess Jahmela – I Don’T Wanna Let You Go
17. Tony Anthony – Bad News