Rachik Riddim – Fire Ball Records

There’s a distinctly early-2000s Kingston charge running through the Rachik Riddim, the kind of hard-edged dancehall set that could sit comfortably beside the bigger juggling sessions of 2002. Fire Ball Records keeps the groove taut and militant, and that gives Anthony B’s “Ms Fandangle” and Bounty Killer’s “What Is Next” plenty of room to cut through, while Capleton’s “Crying Out” brings a more fiery, sermon-like weight to the same rhythm. The line-up is strong without feeling overstuffed, with Frisco Kid, Hawkeye, Kiprich and Lexxus all adding their own angle to the riddim’s rough swing. Fire Ball also shades into more melody-minded territory with Bobby Crystal and Reagan on “The Right Way, ” which helps the project move beyond pure gunman energy. A sturdy 2002 plate, with “Ratchett Riddim Version” tucked in right at the end, just in case you want the bare bones.