Rootsman Time Riddim – Digilab Productions

By 2005, roots reggae was leaning hard into militant revivalists and conscious sing-jays, and Rootsman Time lands right in that pocket with Digilab Productions lining up 17 voices over one cut. The list has a nice spread of newer names and proven chant-down artists, with Jah Mali’s “Jah Is Here, ” Jah Mason’s “Jah Keep Us Alive, ” and Lutan Fyah’s “Dem Ting Deh” doing the heaviest lifting, while Michael Rose and Singing Sweet add some veteran weight. Digilab keeps the arrangement lean and steady rather than flashy, letting the singers ride the groove without crowding it. The rhythm sits in a measured mid-tempo pocket, with a firm bass line, clipped guitar skank, and a drum pattern that stays disciplined enough for the lyrics to carry the tune.

Rootsman Time Riddim Tracklist:

1. Alpha Rowen – Good Over Evil
2. Blue – Tribulations
3. Bobo Emmanuel I – Herbs
4. Bongo Kanny – Come On
5. Chrisinti – Tomorrow
6. Empress Ayeola – Take Care
7. Jah Mali – Jah Is Here
8. Jah Mason – Jah Keep Us Alive
9. Lutan Fyah – Dem Ting Deh
10. Mark Wonder – The Eastern Side
11. Micheal Rose – Message To The King
12. Pampi Judah – Babylon System
13. Singing Sweet – Living Aint Easy
14. Starkey Bantan – Red
15. Turbulence – Saviour Divine
16. Vibesman – Love Mama
17. Zulu – See Dem Deh