Tears Riddim (2009) – Pot Of Gold

Back in 2009, dancehall riddims were still leaning hard on lean, hooky digital patterns, and Tears Riddim fits right into that moment with a compact six-track set from Pot Of Gold. Richie Stephens teams with Omari on “Showers Of Blessing, ” giving the project its most uplifting note, while Copper Cat’s title cut keeps the emotion raw and General Degree’s “More Money” brings the sharper street angle. Atomic’s “Mama Song” and the Neville Lindo and Face combination on “No More Playing Around” add extra colour around the same pulse, and the rhythm itself stays tight enough for the voices to do most of the work. Pot Of Gold closes it out with the instrumental version, underlining the riddim’s shape and leaving the arrangement exposed in plain form.