Sitting And Watching Riddim (2013) – Sly And Robbie

Sitting And Watching Riddim finds Sly and Robbie back in the lane that made Taxi such a force: a sturdy reggae framework with enough space for singers and deejays to shape-shift around it. The original roots of the rhythm go back to Dennis Brown’s 1979 “Sitting And Watching, ” cut at Taxi by the Riddim Twins, and this 2013 pass keeps that lineage alive rather than trying to reinvent it. It carries the kind of weight you expect from Sly Dunbar’s drums and Robbie Shakespeare’s bass, with a patient pull that leaves room for melody, testimony and a little radio-ready shine.

The headline cut is Shaggy and Beres Hammond’s “Fight This Feeling, ” the kind of pairing that only makes sense when the song has real emotional lift. Beres brings the warm, grainy authority that made him one of reggae’s most trusted voices, while Shaggy’s smoother tone pushes the tune toward crossover polish. Screechy Dan’s “Nobody” hits harder in the dancehall tradition, with the veteran mic man’s sharp delivery cutting through the rhythm. Asante Amen’s “Rough A Yard” and “Way It Use To Be” add a rootsier, more reflective edge, while Jango Thriller and Mikey Jarrett’s “Walk With You” gives the riddim one of its most memorable modern singjay combinations.

The supporting cast helps the project move between lovers rock, conscious reggae and street-level talk without losing cohesion. Rankin Don, Keeling Beckford and Paper Posh, Marshall One, Chris Diamond, Lmj, King Ledgi and the version cut fill out a juggling built for selectors, with enough variety to keep the groove active while the bass stays grounded.