Orbitate Riddim – Massicka Records

Choppy synths and a rubbery bassline give Orbitate Riddim that lean, forward-driving 2010 dancehall feel, the kind of cut that leaves plenty of room for voices to jab and bounce. Massicka Records lines up a useful spread here: Gyptian’s “Gal U Smooth” brings the hooky, melodic lift, Bugle keeps things sharp on “Jamaica, ” and Flexxx’s “Run Me Down” leans harder into the tougher side of the riddim. Elsewhere, Iyara, Laden, Kootan, and the Round Head and Jason Sweetness combo keep the energy varied without breaking the groove. The version cut sits right in the middle of that early-2010 dancehall moment when stark digital arrangements and quick-fire vocal styles were still driving the scene, and this one keeps its focus tight across eleven tracks.