Story Tella Riddim (2009) – Notnice Records

Notnice Records keeps Story Tella Riddim in that sharp 2009 Portmore lane, all clipped drum patterns and a hard, restless pull underneath the vocals. The set is only five voices deep, but it’s not lacking for character: Blak Ryno’s “Height Of Great Man” leans into the self-mythologizing talk that fit him so well at the time, Jah Vinci smooths out “Money” with a more melodic edge, and Lisa Hype’s “Woman A Creation” brings a brighter, female-forward counterpoint to the rougher selections. Popcaan’s untitled cut feels like the one that tips the riddim into something more memorable, even before the project gets to Dosa Medicine’s “Stay Focus. ” It’s a compact slice of late-2000s dancehall, with the clean and radio edits giving the whole thing that street-to-airplay duality Notnice was good at.