Two Riddim Clash Volume Twelve (2024) – Heavy Beat Records

Heavy Beat Records keeps the Two Riddim Clash series moving with Volume Twelve, a 2024 reggae set that leans on veteran voices rather than novelty. The riddim has a warm, midtempo swing and a classic lovers-rock-to-roots feel, with enough forward motion for singjay lines but plenty of room for melodic phrasing and message songs. Beres Hammond’s “Paparazzi” sets the tone immediately: smooth, weighty and unmistakably his, with that seasoned romantic delivery he has carried from Zap Pow through decades of solo work.

The lineup is full of artists who know how to work a sturdy foundation. Nikesha Lindo and Kashief Lindo bring the family-name sweetness and phrasing that Heavy Beat has long favored, while Lloyd Brown’s “Tings A Go Get Hot Tonight” adds a UK-reggae polish that sits well in a juggling context. Pressure turns in a tougher, more conscious cut with “Mama Never Raise No Fool, ” and Jah Ruby’s “Greed And Cruelty” pushes the release toward roots commentary.

The veteran presence is what gives the project its weight. The Meditations’ “There Are Better Days Coming” nods to the group’s long roots harmony history, Barry Biggs brings his smooth, pop-reggae touch on “Where Did You Go, ” and Tanto Metro and Devonte inject a lighter dancehall chemistry on “Like Eros. ” Ambelique, Tamara Brown and AJ Brown help fill out a set that plays like a proper clash volume: multiple interpretations, one rhythm, and no weak links.