Rumours Riddim (2017) – Idlers Corner Records

A cool little roots-leaning cut from Idlers Corner Records, Rumours Riddim leans on clean, steady drum-and-bass and a conscious line-up that keeps the message front and centre. Blackout JA’s “No Spread No Rumours” locks neatly into that feel, while Carl Meeks brings the sort of seasoned delivery that gives the whole set a bit more weight; the rest of the list follows suit with voices from Fitzie Niceness, Isha Bel, Tenor Youthman and Mikey Melody. Marshall Neeko closes things out with a dub version, which feels like the right afterthought here, especially since the project was issued in January 2017 and nods back to classic reggae-riddim traditions without sounding dusty.