Shake Town Riddim – Various Artists

By 2008, dancehall was deep in that taut, digital era where a good riddim had to hit hard and leave room for the artists to bark, chatter, and ride the pocket, and Shake Town fits right in with its skittery, propulsive swing. The line-up is a proper yard session: Busy Signal and Demarco lock horns on “No Fraod Of No Bwoy, ” Anthony B comes in with the militant lift of “Bathe Every Day, ” and Konshens and Tifa both find sharp angles on “Its Not Easy” and “Go Just Go. ” Delly Ranx’s “Shake All Around” keeps the energy bouncing, while Aisha and Bling Dawg add a lighter, cheekier edge. The closing instrumental version and Dangel’s “Nuh Weh” leave the riddim hanging in the air, which is exactly how a project like this should end.