The Bawse Riddim – Various Artists

The Bawse Riddim sits in that early-2010s dancehall wave where the compilation itself is the point, and this one keeps it tight with just four cuts: Skinny Fabulous’ clipped “Tuff Chat (Edit), ” Recka’s “Lunatics (So Sick), ” Wizkid’s “Release D Energy, ” and Icon’s “Break Loose. ” The title hints at the mood, and the tunes follow through with a stern, no-frills pattern that leaves room for the deejays to work the pocket rather than crowd it. Skinny Fabulous brings the sharpest edge, while Wizkid’s cut gives the set its most recognizable name on paper, but the whole thing is really about the riddim’s rigid pulse and the way it sits under the vocals. It’s a compact 2012 dancehall run with a stripped-down bounce, heavy on forward motion and anchored by a straight, mid-tempo drum and bass line.