Rebel Riddim (2017) – Ruff and Tuff

Rebel Riddim keeps things lean, and that’s part of the appeal: just three cuts, all from 2017, all circling the same tough-hearted root of the title. Ruff and Tuff keep the production straight and rugged, with enough space for each singer to lean into the groove rather than crowd it. Jason Sweetness opens with “Jason Medley, ” a song that reads like a personal calling card, while Ras One’s “Life In the Ghetto” pushes the social weight of the riddim a little harder. Singing Oliver’s “Rebel” feels like the natural centre of gravity here, the one that locks the mood into place and leaves the clearest impression.