Pass The Dutchie Riddim Vol. 1 – Va

Pass The Dutchie Riddim Vol. 1 arrives as a herb-conscious reggae juggling aimed straight at the long line of singers and deejays who know how to turn a familiar one-drop into something fresh. The title points back to the classic “Pass the Dutchie” lineage, but this 2016 set is its own modern versioning exercise, moving through rootsy phrasing, singjay cut-ins, and songs centered on marijuana culture, uplift, and reasoning. The rhythm has that easy, midtempo sway that leaves room for the voice to carry the hook, with a warm bassline and clean skank doing most of the work.

The release is associated with producer Gussie Clarke, one of the key figures in Jamaican music’s modern studio era, whose name carries weight from decades of landmark productions and the Full Up connection behind the original “Pass the Kutchie” lineage. That history matters here, because this riddim taps the same tradition of reworking a proven groove for a new generation of voices. It is the kind of project that lives comfortably in Clarke’s catalogue: tight, melodic, and built for repeated plays across sound systems and digital platforms.

The cast is a serious one. Anthony B’s “Smoke Free” brings his militant, conversational energy. Duane Stephenson’s “Marijuana” sits on his smooth, soulful delivery. Fantan Mojah’s “Chalice” and Luciano’s “Herd Minister” keep the spiritual-herbal angle alive, while Morgan Heritage’s “Dem Man Deh” gives the set a polished harmony touch. Sizzla’s “Burn The Herb, ” Turbulence’s “This Is It, ” U Roy’s “High Grade, ” Vybz Kartel’s “No Matter, ” and Wayne Marshall’s “Weed Smoke” all add different shades, from veteran toast to hard-edged dancehall swagger.