Twice Again Riddim – Steely And Clevie

Twice Again Riddim arrives as a 2006 Greensleeves Rhythm Album from Steely and Clevie, the powerhouse production duo of Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson and Cleveland “Clevie” Browne. By that point, their Studio 2000 imprint and long run of hard-hitting dancehall work had made them one of the most reliable names in the business, with a reputation for crisp drum programming, muscular basslines and rhythms that could carry both singjay hooks and straight-to-the-point talk. This one revisits the spirit of their earlier “Twice My Age” idea and updates it for the mid-2000s dancehall market.

The riddim has that Steely and Clevie snap: clean, rolling percussion, a thick low end and enough open space for deejays to ride the pocket without crowding the mix. It sits in the tougher, radio-friendly lane of the era rather than going for a glossy pop crossover feel, which gives the project its edge.

Buju Banton’s “Beauty Queen” is the heavyweight cut, with his commanding delivery giving the rhythm real lift. Baby Cham’s “Woman Deh Pon Mi Mind” and Assassin’s “She Wants A Life” both lean on sharp, nimble phrasing, while Ghost’s “What You Gonna Do” and Leroy Smart’s “Memory Lane” add a more melodic, seasoned touch. Macka Diamond, Harry Toddler, Buccaneer, Guru, Keishera, Mr. Vegas and the rest keep the juggling moving, with “Quicky Quicky” from Daddy Meekie and Little Meekie and the Steely and Clevie instrumental helping round out a set that feels built for selectors.