Ordinary Natty Riddim – Total Satisfaction

Ordinary Natty Riddim comes from Total Satisfaction, the production outfit behind a string of roots-minded reggae projects in the early 2010s. This one landed in 2013 and was cut as a proper juggling set, with 13 tracks and 12 different voices, including two dub sides from Ts All Stars. The title itself points straight at the roots tradition, but the sound has a cleaner, more modern edge than a vintage relick.

The rhythm carries a steady, loping feel that leaves room for the singers to stretch out. George Nooks opens with a thoughtful take on What’s Going On, and his warm tenor gives the riddim an easy lift. Frankie Paul’s Love and Unity brings a veteran lilt and a stronger call for togetherness, while Jigsy King’s Sing for My People pushes the conscious angle with more street-level grit. Lukie D’s Don’t Want to Be Alone adds a smoother lover’s touch, balancing out the heavier roots material.

King Kong and Tilly Beng both fit naturally into the groove, and the various cuts keep the set from feeling repetitive because each vocalist shifts the phrasing and mood a little differently. Chris Amber’s solo cut and his duet with Phatta Ranks add a rougher, more tension-filled edge, while David Ondrick’s Morning Hills closes the picture with a gentler, reflective tone. The dub versions help underline that this is a producer’s project as much as a singers’ showcase, with space, echo and bass carrying as much weight as the melodies.