Showtime Riddim (1997) – Xtra Large Records

Showtime Riddim came out in 1997 from Dave Kelly’s Xtra Large camp, one of the peak late-’90s dancehall factories. Kelly, who also ran Madhouse, was already a defining force in the era, and Showtime sits comfortably among the sharp, drum-forward riddims that made his name. It was a busy juggling with a long life, and the tune count alone tells you how deep selectors and deejays went on it.

The riddim has that bright, tense, crowd-ready feel Kelly specialised in: crisp bass, clipped percussion, and a bounce that leaves plenty of room for chatty, animated vocals. It moves fast enough for the dance but still gives each voice space to cut through. On the Xtra Large side, Baby Cham was central, with cuts like “Bun Batty Bowy, ” “Galong Yah Gal, ” and “We No Sorry” helping define his early rise. Beenie Man’s “Hypocrite” brings his sharp, teasing style, while Bounty Killer’s “Bible” and “Eagle And Di Hawk” push the darker, grittier energy that made him such a force in that period. Assassin’s “Facilitate War” also fits the riddim’s hard-edged mood.

What makes Showtime last is how naturally it absorbs different personalities without losing its snap. The lineup ranges from hype man confidence to streetwise confrontational tunes, and the riddim keeps them all locked into the same nervous, addictive pulse. It’s a strong snapshot of 1997 dancehall at full speed, with Xtra Large and Madhouse in top form.