The Gorgan Riddim – Cousins Records

Cornell Campbell’s rough-hewn “Gorgan” sets the tone for Cousins Records’ Gorgan Riddim, a 2010 roots set that leans on heavyweight voices rather than flash. Horace Andy, Frankie Paul, Luciano, Michael Rose and U-Roy all get room to work over the same hard, steppers-style groove, while King Tubby’s “Better Colli Dub” pushes the pattern into deeper, smokier territory. The writing here feels very much in line with that late-2000s reggae moment when classic singers and dub veterans were being paired with fresh riddims that nodded back to the old sound system era without sounding dusty. With nine short tracks in just over 20 minutes, it moves quickly, but the combination of Campbell’s opener and Tubby’s dub gives the release a firm, old-school spine.

The Gorgan Riddim Tracklist:

1. Cornell Campbell – Gorgan
2. Frankie Paul – He Came Running Back
3. Horace Andy – Better Colli
4. King Tubby – Better Colli Dub
5. Luciano – The Kingdom
6. Lukie D – Hold On Me
7. Michael Rose – Seniseminia
8. Tony Curtis – Love Life
9. U-Roy – Gorgon Wise