Xeno Riddim – Mgf Record

From a 2015 reggae set with a clear message, Xeno Riddim comes out of MGF Record with four vocal cuts and an instrumental, and the title track frame tells you exactly where its heart is: anti-xenophobia consciousness. Liane Wise’s “Stop Xenophobia” is the sharpest link between the production and the writing, riding the same easy, melodic pull that gives Crazy P’s “How Does It Feel” and Lilyman’s “Nhai Mwari” room to breathe without softening the edge. Elcee and Grand add a different texture on “Ndaramba, ” keeping the riddim moving with a local, rootsy feel that suits the lineup. It’s a small package, really, just five tracks and a stripped-back instrumental at the end, but that’s part of the charm.