Sugar Lump Riddim – Various Artists

Sugar Lump Riddim lands as a straightforward 2012 reggae various-artist set, but the sequencing gives it a nice little arc: Calcium opens with “Bring Back The Music, ” then Da Chief, Full Clip, Lyncs, Masta Jay, Mello G, Ranger Rhymz, and the Singing Rudeboy And I Daddy Lando combination keep the energy moving before the instrumental version closes things out. The cut that jumps out most is “What Is It Were Fighting For, ” because that duo track gives the riddim a sharper edge than the solo sides. It’s a nine-track run with ten artists across the board, so the producer clearly wanted the rhythm to breathe a bit while still keeping the focus on one central groove. By the time the version drops at the end, the project has already done its job and left the riddim itself carrying the weight.