Spanish Fly Riddim (2014) – Allfaces Ent Records

Allfaces Ent Records’ Spanish Fly Riddim sits in that 2014 dancehall run when the label was churning out sharp, compact juggling cuts, and this one leans on a clean, mid-tempo bounce with enough space for the singers and deejays to work the groove. Teflon’s “Spin Me Around” and Macka Diamond’s “Experience” bring the strongest hooks, while Flexxx and Flirtagious keep things a little naughtier on “Wine Non Stop, ” and Singing Sweet gives the riddim a smoother, more melodic turn on “If It’s Love. ” The set moves briskly through 11 tracks, with names like Tyrical, Savage, and Meera adding variety without pulling it off course. It closes on the instrumental Spanish Fly Riddim itself, which leaves the arrangement’s bright, dancefloor-ready swing hanging in the air.