Nice And Easy Riddim (2018) – Oneness Records

Oneness Records kept Nice and Easy Riddim in a classic roots lane, with a warm one-drop pulse and a relaxed, spacious feel that leaves room for the singers to shape the mood. The project landed in January 2018 and sits squarely in the label’s long-running riddim catalogue, which has run from early releases like Oneness Riddim and General Key through later projects such as Better Days and Maad Sick. The Oneness Band handles the instrumental, and the arrangement gets a little extra depth from Umberto Echo’s dubmix of Iba Mahr’s cut.

Luciano opens with “Nuh Play Ting, ” bringing his familiar conscious charge and steady tenor to a rhythm that suits his roots-first approach. Iba Mahr follows with “Family Not Friend, ” a title that matches the kind of grounded, uplifting writing he has become known for out of Jamaica. Sara Lugo and Randy Valentine team up on “Growing A Jungle, ” a nice pairing of Lugo’s clear, airy delivery and Valentine’s smoother UK-rooted style. Macka B’s “Give Thanks” and Chezidek’s “Work With What You Have” keep the message front and center, while Naptali’s “Bad Mind People” adds a sharper social edge. Gappy Ranks closes with “The Band, ” rounding out a set that keeps the energy mellow but never sleepy.

The riddim’s appeal is in that balance: rootsy, cleanly played, and vocal-heavy enough to feel like a proper juggling, with each artist finding a slightly different angle on gratitude, unity, and everyday struggle.