Slaughter House Riddim – Notnice Records

By 2009, Notnice Records was already deep into the run of razor-edged dancehall instrumentals that carried Vybz Kartel’s Portmore Empire orbit, and Slaughter House fits right into that streak with a compact five-song set. The riddim has that stark, menacing Notnice feel: hard drums, clipped melody, and enough space for the voices to cut through without any wasted motion. Blak Ryno’s “Drive Through Prize” and Popcaan’s “Real Killer” bring the youthful fire, while Kartel takes the center on “Love Of Money” and the Jah Vinci pairing “Bubbling Over and Over” keeps the tension riding high. It closes with Kartel and Merital on “Never Sick, ” a sharp final pass that leaves the whole project feeling tight and deliberate.