With The Gremlin Riddim – Roof International

Gremlin is a stripped-back little Roof International set from 2003, with just two vocal cuts and the version riding alongside them. Hopeton James opens with “Am So Proud, ” a steady roots-minded tune that sets the frame without fuss, while Utan Green’s “One Time” keeps the energy moving with a more direct, street-level feel. Roof International leaves plenty of room in the arrangement, so the riddim itself hangs in the pocket and does the talking. It’s a short release, but that economy suits the material: no wasted space, no crowding, just a clean showcase for two singers working different angles over the same backbone. If there’s a tune that leaves the sharper mark, it’s Hopeton James’ “Am So Proud, ” which gives the whole set its most grounded finish.