Tsahai Riddim – Al.Ta.Fa.An. Records

Warm pulse. Tsahai Riddim from Al. Ta. Fa. An. Records lands in that mid-2000s roots-reggae pocket where the groove stays steady and the singers do the heavy lifting, with Junior Kelly’s “Receive, ” Anthony B’s “Rasta Man She Love, ” and Lutan Fyah’s “Learn Di Hard Way” among the cuts that give it shape. The label had already been putting out a small run of sound-system-friendly roots projects around this period, and Tsahai fits that line neatly: conscious themes, plainspoken melodies, no studio gloss getting in the way. There’s a nice contrast between the tougher voices and the softer edge of tracks like Perfect’s “Good Bye, ” which keeps the riddim from settling into one mood for too long. It sits comfortably in Al. Ta. Fa. An. ’s 2005 catalogue as one of those understated releases that reward a full listen rather than a quick spin.