Wine And Roses Riddim – Outta East Records

Dollas Diemperor’s “One More Chance” gives Wine And Roses its sharpest opening shot, and the rest of Outta East Records’ 2013 dancehall set stays in that gritty, streetwise pocket. The riddim has that clipped, mid-tempo bounce that leaves room for singjay hooks and tougher talk alike, so Dwayne Rose and Knotti Chris’ “It’s My Life” sits comfortably beside Bucky Ital’s “You Lied” and Ras Cleva’s “Bobo Flex, ” while Isaac Faith, Dann Strange, and the P3trol and Stunna pairing keep the energy moving with tunes aimed at the dance. Ten tracks land on the project in all, with a mix of raw commentary, flirtation, and hard-luck pleading that felt very much of the era, when producers were still leaning on lean, catchy one-riddim packages to carry a whole slice of the dancehall conversation.