Waisted Riddim – Victory One Productions

With sixteen cuts and a cast that runs from Chezidek and Mikey General to Paul Elliott and Minky, Waisted Riddim feels like a proper 2007 dancehall showcase rather than a throwaway one-riddim package. Victory One Productions keeps the groove spare and punchy, with a hard digital pulse and enough space for the vocalists to push conscious lyrics over the top. Chezidek’s “Innocent People” and Mikey General’s “Rise Up” sit near the centre of it, while Paul Elliott’s “Voice Of The Poor” gives the set a sharper edge. The tracklist closes on “Waisted Riddim – Version, ” and that instrumental spells out the project’s intent: a lean, street-level rhythm built to carry message tunes as well as tougher bashment selections.