Pick Up The Pieces Riddim (2013) – Stingray Records

Stingray Records gives “Pick Up The Pieces Riddim” a warm, rootsy sway, the kind of late-night reggae pulse that leaves room for melody without losing its groove. The lineup leans veteran-heavy, with George Nooks and Donna Marie, Little Roy, Jimmy Riley, Sylvia Tella and George Dekker carrying most of the weight, while Kehv, Raymond Wright, Toppa G Abelwell, Claude Darouk and Tasonia keep the set moving with more contemporary voices. There’s a nice range of tones here too: “When Will I See You” plays to the sentimental side, “Try Harder (By The Grace)” lifts the tempo a touch, and “Can’t Give Up” keeps the survival theme front and center. But the cut that really hangs in the air is Little Roy’s “Small Fish, ” a patient, low-slung tune that lets the riddim’s old-school heartbeat do the talking.