Steady Riddim – Riddim Wize Recordings

After the cleaner, more roots-minded side of the Riddim Wize catalogue, Steady Riddim from 2005 sits in that sturdy mid-tempo zone where the groove does most of the talking. The set keeps to six cuts, with Jah Meek, Jah Sisco, Linda Carriere, Marlon B, and Tolga carrying the vocal load over a version that leaves plenty of space for the rhythm to breathe. It’s a no-frills reggae riddim with a firm one-drop pulse, clipped guitar skanks, and a bassline that stays rounded rather than flashy, which gives the songs a calm but insistent forward motion. Jah Sisco’s “War Is Not The Answer” and Jah Meek’s “How Can I Deny” fit especially well into that mood, while the title version ties everything together with a steady, unhurried swing.