Night Shift Riddim – Various Soca Artists

NIGHT SHIFT RIDDIM produced by VARIOUS SOCA ARTISTS 2004

Machel Montano’s “Be Yourself” is the kind of cut that anchors Night Shift Riddim, a slim five-track set that leans more soca than straight dancehall in spirit even if it’s tagged for the latter. The riddim has that after-hours bounce: tight percussion, a nagging low-end pulse, and just enough melodic lift to keep the vocals moving without ever getting too glossy. Around Montano, Bunji Garlin brings grit on “God D Mid-Point, ” Maximus Dan cuts into the groove with the self-help push of “Change Yuh Life, ” and Gailann’s “My Prayer” pulls the energy back into a more reflective pocket. Baba Shanta, Erika, and Kerwin open things up with “More Love, ” giving the set a community feel that was all over early-2000s Caribbean party music, when soca voices were crossing more freely into dancehall spaces and keeping the riddim format lively.

Night Shift Riddim Tracklist:

1. Baba Shanta Ft Erika & Kerwin – More Love
2. Bunji Garlin – God D Mid-Point
3. Gailann – My Prayer
4. Machel Montano Ft Nicholas & Meledi Montano – Be Yourself
5. Maximus Dan – Change Yuh Life