Unchained Riddim (1994) – Steely And Clevie Records

By 1994, Steely and Clevie were already deep into the era that made their name: bright, drum-machine-driven dancehall with live bass weight and a clean, punchy finish that travelled well from sound systems to radio. The Unchained riddim sits right in that pocket, threading a choppy, militant pulse through a tune base that feels heavy but not crowded. It has the sort of forward motion that leaves room for the singer to work the hook and the deejay to ride the pocket.

The strongest cut here is Garnett Silk’s “Love Is The Answer, ” a natural fit for his uplifting, roots-conscious style. Silk was one of the most gifted voices of the 1990s, and this song catches him in that earnest, high-register mode that made him such a loss to the music. Sanchez’s “Unchained” brings a smoother, more romantic tenor, while Leroy Smart’s “Victory” adds veteran authority and a harder, chest-out delivery. Jack Radics also voices the riddim with “Unchained, ” giving the set another melodic turn.

Ras Shiloh’s “Slavery” stretches the project into stricter roots territory, with the kind of message tune that points toward the direction he would later carry into the revival era. Taken together, the selections give Unchained a clear identity: not just a juggling piece, but a rhythm that can hold love songs, upliftment and liberation talk without losing its shape.