Strange Things Riddim (2010) – Irie Ites Records

Irie Ites kept the Strange Things riddim in that sweet spot between rootsy throwback and modern jugglin’ pressure. The French crew, run by Manuel Malhoeuvre, has long been known for mixing heavyweight Jamaican voices with European production discipline, and this 2010 set sits neatly in that lane. The foundation itself comes from a familiar source: John Holt’s classic “Strange Things, ” reworked into a tighter, bouncier frame with live-musician grit from Mafia and Fluxy, Earl Chinna Smith and Bongo Herman.

What makes the riddim click is the contrast. Calvin “So So” Francis comes through on “Strange Dub, ” giving the project a smoky, stripped-back counterpoint, while John Holt’s “Strange Things (Discomix)” keeps the original spirit alive in a stretched-out format. Chezidek’s “Bun Di Ganja” is one of the sharper modern cuts, carrying his easy, melodic chant over the groove, and Junior Kelly’s “Shake It Woman” pushes the same rhythm into a more dance-ready stance. Lutan Fyah’s “Work It Out” and Pressure’s “Ina Dancehall” add strong contemporary balance, while Sizzla’s “Revolution” gives the riddim extra fire.

The project also has a nice intergenerational pull. Veteran touches sit beside newer voices like Cali P, Spectacular, Sena and Trinity, so the riddim never feels locked to one era. That range is exactly what gives Strange Things its replay value: old-school source material, a live-band backbone, and a roster that knows how to ride a groove without crowding it.