Rootsman Riddim (2013) – Overstand Entertainment

Overstand Entertainment’s Rootsman Riddim arrived in 2013, with Phillip “Winta” James steering the project through his label and production imprint after years working in the background as a keyboard player and collaborator. It landed early enough to catch the first big wave of reggae revival energy, and it helped define the lane for roots-conscious singles that were starting to move the scene again.

The riddim itself is grounded in a deep one-drop pulse, with warm bass, crisp snare accents, and a patient, late-night feel that leaves plenty of room for the singers. There’s nothing flashy about the arrangement; the power comes from the weight of the groove and the way the instrumental stays open for lyrics to breathe. That restraint is part of why the set still feels durable.

Chronixx’s “Here Comes Trouble” is the cut that pushed the riddim into wider conversation, with his youthful clarity and militant edge riding the track hard. Jesse Royal’s “Modern Day Judas” brings the same generation’s consciousness, but with a more pointed, admonishing tone. Iba Mahr’s “Great Is H. I. M” gives the riddim a devotional lift, while Jah9’s “Reverence” adds a more poetic, meditative turn. Tarrus Riley’s “Cold Girl” supplies the seasoned voice in the lineup, balancing the newer names with a polished roots delivery that sits naturally in his catalog. The set also includes a dub mix, which underlines how much of the appeal comes from the rhythm section itself.