Street Bullies Riddim (2009) – Big Yard Music

Halfway through this one, the mood is all sharp edges and rubbery swing, the kind of dancehall riddim that leaves space for the DJs to cut through without ever sounding sparse. Big Yard lined up a proper mix of voices here: Shaggy’s “Long Time” brings the veteran cool, Vybz Kartel’s “Slow Motion (Sting Remix)” pushes the tension higher, and Beenie Man’s “Humility” and Elephant Man’s “Poverty” keep the energy snapping. Christopher Martin and Cecile add a lighter, melodic counterweight, while Lord Kossity’s cut gives the set a little extra international reach. The project also folds in a sting remix of Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us, ” which feels like a left-turn closer and fits the compilation’s crossover-minded edge.