Shanty Town Riddim (2007) – Beverleys Records

By 2007, Beverley’s Records were back to one of their deepest old-school calling cards, revisiting the “Shanty Town” framework that traces straight back to Desmond Dekker’s “007” and the rude-boy era. This six-track set leans on that familiar rocksteady pulse: a tight, walking bassline, clipped guitar skank, and a muted, almost dubby swing that keeps the arrangement lean rather than busy. Ambelique’s “I Like The Way You Walk” and Joseph Cotton’s “Ship Sail” sit comfortably alongside Dennis Alcapone’s chatty “D. J. Roll Call, ” while the inclusion of “007” itself pulls the whole thing back to the source. It’s a compact producer showcase with a strong archival feel, and the rhythm’s steady mid-tempo push leaves the vocals room to ride the groove cleanly.