Sicily Riddim – Cj Records

CJ Records’ Sicily Riddim lands in that busy 2004 dancehall moment when producers were stacking voicings with a sharp ear for street-ready singles, and this one pulls in a strong cross-section of voices rather than leaning on one star. Anthony Cruz opens with “Ghetto Princess, ” but the tune that really plants the flag is Bling Dawg’s “It’s Over, ” which gets repeated in the notes and reads like the cut that carried the riddim. From there the set keeps moving through Bounty Killer, Da’Ville, Delly Ranks, Frisco Kid, Hawkeye, Lady Saw and Red Rat, so the energy stays quick and rugged, with enough singjay swing to keep it from feeling too hard-edged. Sizzla’s “Absolutely (Raw)” and Ward 21’s “We Run Dat” add extra bite, but the strongest impression comes from the way the project gives Bling Dawg, in particular, room to lock onto the riddim and push it forward.