Old Skool Riddim – Fiwi Music

Fiwi Music dusted off one of its early Caribbean sweet spots with Old Skool Riddim, a 2005 juggling that was pushed back into circulation in 2018. Courtney Morrison, better known in the scene as Yogie, is the hand behind it, and FiWi is the label carrying the banner. Morrison’s catalogue has long moved between artist and producer roles, and this one sits comfortably in that softer, melodic side of his output.

The riddim has a warm, mid-tempo pulse and a throwback feel that sits closer to lovers rock and rootsy radio reggae than hard-edged dancehall. The groove leaves space for phrasing, harmony, and plain-spoken love songs, which is exactly where the voices on it work best. Mr. Vegas brings his familiar singjay lift on Do You Know, while Da’Ville’s There You Go Baby plays to the smoother side of his lovers-rock reputation. Lenn Hammond’s Quality Time fits the set’s easy sway, and Ghost’s I Swear adds a more sentimental tone. Jovi Rockwell’s It’s All About Love gives the riddim a female perspective, and Lukie D’s Missing You is the kind of tender cut that suits his seasoned delivery.

Courtney John’s When You Say is another key piece here, since his name is attached to the producer credit as well as the vocal. Rudy’s Float Away widens the palette a little, while the instrumental at the end lets the rhythm breathe on its own. Old Skool works because it is affectionate without sounding dusty: a tidy, melodic reggae frame with enough personality to keep the singers from blending into one another.