Overdue Riddim – Machete

Machete Records lined up Overdue Riddim in 2013 with a warm, old-school reggae pulse that feels built for singer-led juggling rather than hard-edged dancehall sparring. Dean Fraser’s opening and closing versions frame the set with live sax flourishes and a smooth, slightly wistful groove, giving the whole release a rootsy, polished feel. It is the kind of riddim that leaves space for melody, phrasing and uplift, and that balance is exactly what gives it its charm.

The voice list is a strong one. Ginjah’s Give Jah Thanks sits naturally in the center of the project with its thankful, conscious tone. Lutan Fyah’s On Your Way Up adds the steppers-style encouragement he has long made his own, while Turbulence turns I Believe In Love Again into a pleading, spiritually aware cut. Chezideck’s Rebel Warriors keeps the rebel consciousness intact, and Bryan Art’s Dance Haffi Nice brings a lighter, more celebratory touch. City Kulture’s Situation (Nah Get Dem Nowhere) and Ky-Enie’s Words A Wind deepen the roots-and-reality side of the set, while Zamunda and Adena Myrie widen the mood with more intimate, melodic takes. The Adena Myrie and Saba Tooth pairing on Love Is Overdue, Pt. 2 is the most unexpected moment, with the contrast between her sweetness and his rougher edge giving the riddim a sharp final twist.

Released on August 5, 2013, Overdue Riddim sits neatly in Machete’s catalogue as a tasteful, sax-rich reggae project that favors songcraft over volume.