Xleration Riddim (2013) – Germaica Digital

Xleration Riddim lands with a tough, roots-conscious dancehall pulse, the kind Germaica Digital had been sharpening across its catalog by the time this became the label’s 20th riddim release in December 2013. The set keeps its focus tight: Vybz Kartel’s “Marihuana Gone To Bed” digs up an earlier cut with the kind of sly edge only he could make sound effortless, while Agent Sasco’s “Universal Language (Love)” leans more melodic without losing the pressure. There’s also a nice transatlantic feel in Sanjin and Youthman’s “For A While, ” which nods to the growing European dancehall scene, and Mr G and Vershon’s “High Grade” with Bobi Wine keeps the ganja theme rolling. It’s a compact four-track drop, and the instrumental’s reggae-rooted swing gives each voice enough room to cut through.