No Competition Riddim – A Lone Productions

A-Lone Productions’ 2004 No Competition Riddim sits neatly in the label’s early-2000s roots catalogue, cut as a tight three-track 10-inch with Roberto Sánchez steering the production, recording and mix from A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio in Santander. The strongest pull here is the contrast between the voices and the backing: Afrikan Simba’s “Different Style” brings a militant edge, Kenny Knots stretches “Praise Jah” into an extended chant with that deep, meditative lift he does so well, and R Sanchez closes the set with the title cut, all riding a spare, heavyweight groove that leaves plenty of room for the bass and drums to speak. It was issued in 2004 as ARK10001, with the Lone Ark Riddim Force version tucked into the release as well.