Punching Bag Riddim – Down To Earth Records

Punching Bag Riddim lines up seven vocal cuts and an instrumental, so this is a proper little roots-and-chanting showcase rather than a one-off single. Laden’s “World End” and I Sane’s title cut sit alongside Navino, Jermaine Micheal, Villoh and Iranyo, giving the project a mix of tougher voices and more reflective turns. Down To Earth Records keeps the backing lean and functional, with a steady drum pattern, a weighty one-drop feel and bass that sits deep rather than flashy, which suits the 2015 era just fine. The whole thing moves at an easy mid-tempo pace, the kind that leaves room for each singer to lean into the pocket and ride the groove without crowding it.