Specialist Riddim

Specialist Riddim sits in the 2009 reggae run as a busy various-artists cut, and it leans on a rootsy, mid-tempo feel rather than chasing anything glossy or overworked. Junior P gets two turns here, with “Ragga” and “Take A Vow” setting the tone, while Sherise King’s “I Know Now” and Danni I’s “Bad To The Bone” bring a tougher vocal edge into the mix; the rhythm itself keeps a steady, earthy pulse that leaves room for the singers to stretch out without crowding the arrangement. It’s one of those sets where the roster tells you the story: from Fya Angel’s “Ghetto Life” to Volcano’s “Show Love” and Massiah’s “We No Fear, ” the selections move through uplift, street talk, and self-definition. The release runs 15 tracks deep, with 16 unique artists across the full lineup.