Unda Wata Riddim – K-Licious Music (2025)

Unda Wata Riddim is one of Tony “CD” Kelly’s sharpest late-’90s juggling sets, first cut in 1998 for K-Licious Music and now back in circulation in a 2025 reissue. Kelly, who built K-Licious after time at Tuff Gong and Penthouse, became known for clean, punchy dancehall productions that could carry heavyweights and newcomers on the same frame. This one sits comfortably among his best-known works, alongside Bookshelf and Kiki, with that same instinct for balance between radio appeal and sound-system bite.

The riddim rides with a rolling, aquatic swing that feels taut rather than frantic, giving the vocalists room to work the pocket. It has that late-’90s dancehall sheen: crisp drums, a slippery bassline, and a groove that stays warm even when the lyrics turn brash. The reissue keeps the classic line-up intact, including Beenie Man’s “Kingston Hot, ” Sean Paul’s “Excite Me, ” Buju Banton’s “Di Woman Dem Phat, ” Lady Saw’s “Stale Ride, ” Machel Montano’s “Big Phat Fish, ” General Degree’s “Wi Nuh Boring, ” Buccaneer’s “Di More Gal, ” Vegas’s “Sucky Ducky, ” Prento Kid’s “Girls Dem Honey, ” and Mossy and Looga’s “Buck Di Cup. ”

Beenie Man brings the kind of downtown swagger that made him one of dancehall’s defining voices, while Sean Paul was still in his early rise and already sounding like a name with crossover potential. Buju Banton and Lady Saw add veteran authority, each cutting through the rhythm with the kind of confidence that made the riddim a favorite in the first place. The medley and megamix versions underline what the set is really for: juggling.