Triumphant Riddim (2005) – No Doubt Records

Warm pulse. No Doubt Records’ Triumphant Riddim lands in that early-2000s roots revival pocket, with a bright, marching groove that leaves room for voices to lean militant or devotional without getting stiff. The lineup moves nicely between names like Chezideck, Fantan Mojah, Gyptian, Luciano and Natty King, while Lukie D’s “Crying” and Mr Easy’s “Let It Be Known” keep the tracklist from settling into one mood for too long. There’s a nice contrast in the pairings too, from Norris Man and Natural Black’s “Going Away” to Perfect’s “Shoulda Never” and Ras Shiloh’s “Always On My Mind, ” which pull the riddim a little deeper into conscious and reflective territory. The strongest pull comes from Fantan Mojah’s “Frame, ” a tune that catches the riddim right at its most urgent and gives the whole set its sharpest lift.