The Rising Riddim – Various Artists

Bushman steps in front here, and “Rassgoadie” gives The Rising Riddim its sharpest pull with Cpinc in tow, while Flourgon’s “True Love” and Utan Green’s “I See” keep the three-song set moving with a straight, rootsy swing. Coming in 2006, the cut feels less like a big vocal showcase and more like a compact session that leans on strong names and tidy arrangements, the sort of thing a label or producer would put out when they want the riddim to do the talking. Compared with the fuller, more crowded various-artist packages around that period, this one is leaner and more selective, which suits the material. It sits neatly in the mid-2000s reggae riddim run: no wasted space, just three voices, one groove, and a concise snapshot of where the sound was headed.