Praises Riddim (2003) – Black Arrow Records

Black Arrow’s Praises Riddim leans into rootsy uplift, with Al Campbell’s “Upliftment” setting the tone and Leroy Mafia, Richie Davis and Vivian Jones all working that same conscious edge over a compact six-track cut. The Black Arrow name already had a foothold in the early-2000s reggae lane, and this one sits neatly alongside the label’s other singers’ material from that period, more measured than flashy but warm in its phrasing and steady in its drum-and-bass roll. Rod Taylor’s “Politics” adds a sharper social bite, while the version keeps the riddim open and uncluttered so the hooks can breathe. It’s a tidy snapshot of Black Arrow’s 2003 catalog: clean roots production, strong voices, and no wasted space.