Speaker Box Riddim (2021) – Lion Eye Records

Speaker Box Riddim finds DJ Sabz and Lion Eye Records leaning into a tough, street-facing dancehall groove, the kind that leaves room for hooks to cut through without softening the bassline. Mr Lexx gets the opening punch with “How Yuh Pretty Suh, ” and the fact it comes in both clean and raw versions tells you this one was built to work across radio and the dance. Indie’s “Bad Gyal Anthem” pushes the female-forward side a bit harder, while Dejour’s “Yardman” and J Kaz’s “Guide Me” keep the energy circling around the same sharp-edged rhythm. Released in June 2021, the set runs through 11 tracks in all, with Sabz even stepping in for a couple of instrumental versions to close the circle.