The Steam Riddim – Various Artist

The Steam Riddim lands on the strength of Elephant Man and Chris Brown’s “Feel The Steam, ” which gives the set its biggest hook right out of the gate, especially with both clean and dirty versions sitting back to back. From there the rhythm moves into a sharp 2009 dancehall run with Sizzla’s “Olympic Gold, ” Vybz Kartel’s “Straight Gangster, ” and Beenie Man’s “King Of The Dancehall, ” while the Rudebway and Neyalion remixes keep the project in a lively, reworked mode rather than a straight one-drop showcase. That mix of marquee names and version culture gives the riddim a slightly chaotic, late-2000s club feel, with Popcaan’s “Just Wine” adding a younger jolt near the end. A seven-track set, but it moves like something bigger.