Reggae Trax

RIDDIM DRIVEN "Time Travel"

All too often, dancehall props itself up on easy conventions: drums, bass, and not much else. Recently, a few rhythms have come along that have tried to break that mold, but alas, many rely too heavily on excessive digital trickery and end up all limp bells and whistles. However, there are a few, a select few, that seem to fit on a new promising path. Add “Time Travel” to that list. The beat itself is anchored by drums that chip steadily along, much like producer Lenky’s inescapable “Diwali” rhythm from last year. Atop the percussion lies a mix of airy strings and blippy videogame synths that recall the 80s but still push the sound into a futuristic realm. Theme music for space age bashment? Quite possibly. Each song reveals a new surprise as Lenky tailors his arrangements for each guest DJ, layering midnight pianos on Determine’s “Fake Badman” or even subtle strings on Vybz Cartel’s breezy sensi anthem “Send On.” Unlike most rhythm compilations, “Time Travel” clocks in with a scant 11 tracks, but that’s just fine; with cuts by Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and Bling Dawg you don’t need much else.

Reggae Gold 2003

This year’s Reggae Gold compilation comes after a period of spiraling success for the genre, with everyone from Kingston to Calcutta trying to twist their body like Sean Paul’s backup dancers. As in the past, the compilation does a good job of assembling a throbbing mix of the standout rhythms, deejays and tunes from the past 12 months, with everything from sweaty slackness to uplifting consciousness. It truly is thorough, starting off by exploring dancehall’s flirtations with hip-hop on the remix to Busta Rhymes’ “Make It Clap” featuring Sean Paul, and ending with Sizzla’s rootsy anthem to the truest root “Thank U Mamma.” In between, there’s everything from Elephant Man’s mash down “Pon De River, Pon De Bank,” to a brutal megamix of the menacing “Surprise” rhythm featuring Bounty Killer, Spragga Benz, Mad Cobra and Assassin. While its screwface sibling enjoys the spotlight, soca music continues its climb into waistlines stateside.

Soca Gold 2003

Soca Gold 2003 should help significantly, as it features road tested grind anthems such as Krosfyah’s “Ride It,” 3 Suns’ “By The Bar” and KMC’s hilarious “Doh Want To Know.” Yankees should also find it relatively easy to get their juk on, as many of the cuts here are built from the backbone of popular R&B tracks. Some would argue that’s not a good thing, but that’s another discussion entirely; Soca Gold simply gets the hips pulsing. As a plus, both albums come with bonus DJ mix CDs, blending all of the featured cuts into one continuous bash.