XXX Riddim (2009) – Pleasure Time Records

Three voices and one instrumental are all Pleasure Time needed to make XXX Riddim feel lean and to the point, with Vybz Kartel’s “Anything Goes” and Beenie Man’s “Wine” giving the set its biggest pull. The cut list is short, but that’s part of the appeal: there’s no filler, just a tight 2009 dancehall run that leans on swagger and a clean, club-ready groove rather than any big sonic detours. Sniper’s “Gal U Murda” adds a rougher edge in the middle, while the two Beenie Man versions hint at how the rhythm was being pushed for different dancefloor and radio settings. The final “Version” closes the loop neatly, leaving the riddim itself to do the talking.