Tropical X Riddim – Truskeen Music Group

Four cuts make up Tropical X Riddim, so this is a lean juggling rather than a sprawling one, with Don Julio, Draxx and Shalanda each taking a turn over Truskeen Music Group’s 2017 production. The name fits the mood: the riddim has a bright, sunlit feel on the surface, but it’s still anchored by a tight dancehall pulse rather than anything overly glossy. “Body So Hot” and “Trees” keep the focus on hooky, straightforward delivery, while the Truskeen Music Group cut under the same title points back to the producer’s hand in shaping the instrumental. It’s a compact set, and the whole thing hangs on a mid-tempo swing, rubbery bassline and clipped drum pattern that keep the vocals moving without crowding them.