Scorpion King Riddim – Vertex Productions

Warm and rootsy rather than hard-edged, Scorpion King Riddim carries that early-2000s Jamaican one-drop feel, with enough bass weight to let the voices sit deep in the groove. Vertex Productions lined up a tidy nine-track set in 2004, and the cast leans strong on conscious singers and seasoned names: Capleton’s “Spread Your Love, ” George Nooks’ “Stay At Home, ” Mikey General’s “In Jah We Trust, ” Natural Black’s “Who Is Going To Help, ” and Sizzla’s “Clean And Pure” all keep the message front and centre. There’s a nice contrast when Turbulence gets a little more streetwise on “Hype And The Glamour, ” while Morgan Heritage and Pam Hall bring a smoother, more melodic finish. The strongest pull here is Capleton, whose opening cut sets the tone with authority and leaves the riddim humming long after the last vocal fades.

Scorpion King Riddim Tracklist:

1. Capleton – Spread Your Love
2. George Nooks – Stay At Home
3. Mikey General – In Jah We Trust
4. Natural Black – Who Is Going To Help
5. Sizzla – Clean And Pure
6. Turbulence – Hype And The Glamour
7. Morgan Heritage – Hustlers
8. Pam Hall – No Fuss
9. X – Ray – Scorpion King Riddim (Version)