Pure Riddims Vol 1 – Soul Cure

Pure Riddims Vol. 1 – Soul Cure sits in that early-2010s wave of conscious dancehall that pushed gospel-minded lyrics over a steadier, roots-leaning groove instead of chasing the heaviest bashment cuts. The lineup keeps that feeling consistent, but a couple of tunes do the job especially well: Mr Saby’s “I Will Serve The Most High” and “Too Much” lean hard into testimony and warning, while Joash and Joann’s “Rooted” gives the set a warmer, more communal tone. Banton’s “Life Gaurd” and David Irie’s “Come In A Di Church” keep the message direct without sounding stiff, which is part of the charm here. It lands as a 2011 various-artists project with 16 tracks and 13 singers, a compact little snapshot of gospel dancehall when the format was clearly still pulling its weight.