Warriors Don’t Cry Riddim – Penthouse Records

Penthouse Records is back on one of its own signatures here, reopening the 1997 Warriors Don’t Cry rhythm with a fresh 2024 set that still carries Donovan Germain’s polished Kingston stamp. Germain’s Penthouse has long been one of the label houses that made dancehall and roots-reggae sound sleek without sanding off the feeling, and this revival sits neatly inside that legacy.

The title cut remains the anchor. Beres Hammond’s original is the kind of deep, melodic plea that has always suited his voice: warm, patient and emotionally direct. Around it, the rhythm plays with a rootsy shuffle and a clean digital edge, giving the singers room to stretch phrases rather than rush them. The remix with Agent Sasco pushes the cut a little harder, while Kenroy Mullings’ instrumental version lets the arrangement breathe and puts the guitar-led movement of the riddim in full view.

The rest of the set reads like a proper Penthouse cross-section. Jahmali’s Cry People brings that familiar conscious pressure, while Pinchers adds veteran grit on Jealous Woman. Slashe’s I Almost and Shuga’s My Guide keep the tone on the reflective side, and Dalton Harris’ Strum My Guitar adds a younger, more current voice to the lineup. It is not a flashy compilation; it is a showcase of melody, restraint and seasoned songwriting, with Beres Hammond still setting the emotional center of gravity.