Run Down The World Riddim – Witty 1986

Run Down The World comes off a little leaner than the bigger later versions of this rhythm, and that suits Witty’s 1986 cut just fine. Instead of packing the track with names, it keeps the focus tight: Al Campbell’s “Leave The Herbman Business, ” Echo Minott’s “Follow Me, ” Nicodemus on “Earth And Moon, ” and Tony Tuff’s “Just Cool. ” The sound is pure mid-’80s dancehall tension, all clipped drums, deep bass, and that dry, steppers-like push that leaves plenty of room for the singers to ride the pocket. Al Campbell and Echo Minott bring the most character here, but Nicodemus adds a sharper deejay edge in the middle. Tony Tuff closes it out neatly with “Just Cool, ” which sums up the whole set better than any long-winded intro could.