Principle Riddim (2017) – Yard A Love

Yard A Love’s Principle Riddim sits in the label’s late-2017 catalogue as a compact seven-track soca set, with Chino, I Wayne, Teflon, Bugle and Versi doing the heavy lifting over the same foundation. The production leans more toward a brisk, dancehall-leaning soca pulse than anything overly glossy, and the instrumental keeps its shape around a tight bassline and clipped drum pattern that leaves plenty of room for the vocals. Chino’s “Loyal Queen” and I Wayne’s “No Flesh” bring the sharper, more roots-conscious edge, while “Cleanest Bobo” pairs Teflon with Bugle for the set’s most direct cut. Versi’s “Fi Yuh Man” appears in both clean and raw versions, which underlines how much the riddim relies on phrasing and attitude rather than studio tricks. It’s a short, orderly release, with the rhythm itself doing most of the talking.