Nice It Up Riddim – No Doubt Records

Barrington Levy’s “Murderer” is the one that jumps out first here, and it sets the tone for a 2008 rootsy juggling that leans on heavyweight voices rather than studio trickery. No Doubt Records lines up Levy with Beres Hammond, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Capleton, Etana, Luciano and Morgan Heritage, so the riddim has that familiar cross-section of foundation singers and tougher dancehall names rubbing shoulders on the same groove. Levy’s sharp edge sits nicely against Beres Hammond’s smoother “I Surrender, ” while Capleton and Fantan Mojah keep the energy fiery and conscious in the middle of it all. It’s a clean, vocal-driven set with 15 cuts in total, and Sugar Minott’s “Real Thing Going” feels like a little extra jewel tucked in near the end.