Re-Entry Riddim – Markus Records

Markus Myrie had already established Markus Records as a serious dancehall imprint by the time Re-Entry Riddim landed in 2013, and this one fits squarely into that early run of sharp, digitally minded productions. The riddim came out as a Markus Records release in May 2013, and it arrived with the kind of heavyweight cast that gave the label instant credibility in the juggling circuit.

The sound is taut and muscular, with a clipped bounce under the drums and a dark, forward-driving feel that leaves space for each voice to cut through. It is the sort of rhythm built for selector play: clean enough to move through multiple artist cuts, tough enough to hold its own in a dance. The title feels apt, because the energy is all about push-forward motion and lyrical re-entry into street talk, money talk, and dancehall bravado.

Agent Sasco opens strongly on “Deh Pan Di Hustling, ” bringing that workmanlike intensity he has long made his trademark. Beenie Man’s “Woman A Di House” adds veteran ease and sly movement, while Buju Banton’s “Inna Half” gives the riddim some heavyweight gravity. Elephant Man turns in two cuts, including “Goody Fi Di Year, ” with his usual animated, crowd-moving attack. D’Angel, Delly Ranx, Mavado, I-Octane, Mr. Vegas, Macka Diamond, Ghost, Flexxx, General B and others deepen the project’s range, moving from street toughness to flirtation and big-party energy.

It is a proper early-2010s dancehall juggling release: star-driven, rhythm-first, and clearly made to travel well in sound system rotation.