Social Studies Riddim – Brandish

Seven cuts and seven different voices give Social Studies Riddim a tidy, old-school compilation feel, with Capleton’s “Hard Cover” leading a cast that also includes Tyrical, Shaneo, General B and Ghost. Brandish keeps the arrangement firmly in dancehall territory, with the kind of lean, percussive framework that leaves space for each singer to work the pocket rather than crowding the mix. Tyrical turns up twice, first on “Jah Will” and then alongside Ghost on “Ambition, ” while General B’s “Button Press” adds a tougher veteran edge to the set. The whole project runs just over 22 minutes, so it moves quickly, and the bass line stays tight underneath the vocals, giving the riddim a clipped, forward-driving pulse.