Picaxe Riddim – Danny Axeman

Picaxe Riddim rolls with a warm, rootsy swing and a clean modern reggae polish, the kind of groove that leaves room for melody without losing its pulse. Danny Axeman anchors the set himself with “Axeton, ” while George Nooks brings the heart on “You Bring Me Joy” and Lukie D eases into the sweeter side of the rhythm on “When You Love. ” There’s also a bit of bite in cuts like Bagga Case’s “If I Were You, ” Kool Johnny Kool’s “Rock Stone, ” and Krysi Webb’s “Crying Out, ” which keep the compilation from drifting too far into softness. Released in January 2017 under Picaxe Production / VPAL Music, it sits neatly in that run of mid-2010s reggae riddims that aimed for crossover polish without leaving the skank behind.