Sledge Riddim (2002) – Hands And Heart Records

Sledge Riddim came out in 2002 from Hands and Heart Records, the Donovan McMurray-led imprint that was turning out some of the sharper juggling sounds in the era. This one sits in the Greensleeves Rhythm Album series as well, which tells you how far the riddim travelled beyond the local 7-inch circuit. It’s a hard, flashing dancehall cut with a militant edge, driven by a clipped, stomping pulse and plenty of space for DJs to attack the pocket.

The rhythm attracted a strong cross-section of the moment’s heavyweights. Capleton opens with “Got It Fi Dem, ” and his firebrand delivery gives the riddim a strict, commanding tone. Bounty Killer’s “Cross Roads” brings the unmistakable gravel and authority that made him a fixture on any serious juggling. Spragga Benz turns in “Rasta Run The World, ” a cut that got real traction for the way it rides the beat without forcing it. Sizzla’s “Cherish The Love” adds a more uplifting strain to the set, while Mr Vegas’ “Tall Up Tall Up” pushes the tune into crowd-moving, party territory.

There are also deeper cuts that help define the project’s range. Unicorn’s “Trample” is one of the tougher entries, and Delegate’s “Skladie” and Briggy Benz’s “Tell Dem” show how the riddim could carry lesser-known voices without losing momentum. Even the presence of an “Artists For Peace” cut points to a set that wasn’t just about clash energy, but about giving different angles on the same stark, muscular groove.