Red Rock Riddim – Digital-B

Eight cuts deep and with no weak links, Red Rock Riddim feels like a late-’80s Digital-B session where the singers and deejays all knew the brief. Cocoa Tea’s “Love Me Truly” and Pad Anthony’s “Shake Them Down” bring the sweetest payoff, while Flourgon’s “Nah Get Rich Switch” and the Shabba Ranks link-up on “Shock Out” push the tougher, chatty side of the riddim. Clement Irie, Daddy Lizard, Little John and Michael Rutherford each get their turn too, so it moves like a proper showcase rather than a half-baked single pack. Set around 1988, it captures that moment when Digital-B was starting to tighten its grip on dancehall and reggae, with sturdy vocals riding a clean, punchy backing that still sounds ready for a sound system.