What The Hell Riddim – Jammys Records

A lean, choppy dancehall cut with that early digital Jammy’s snap, What The Hell rides on a taut bassline and clipped drums that leave plenty of room for the deejays to jab and spar. Echo Minott’s title tune is the obvious anchor, all attitude and cheek, and it sits nicely beside Chaka Demus’ quick-footed “Two Foot Walk, ” which feels like the kind of response only a producer like King Jammy could coax out of a session this tight. There’s a sly conversational edge to the whole set, especially with Lady Junie’s “Tell You What Police Can Do” and Johnny Osbourne’s “Fire Fire” keeping the pressure up. Six cuts in all, and the pacing never really lets the groove loosen.