Various – No Better Riddim

Of course, the idea wasn’t new. Back in 1974, singer and producer Rupie Edwards had already shown what could be done with a single backing track. His Yamaha Skank album, built around The Uniques’ My Conversation riddim, helped establish a format that would become a cornerstone of Jamaican music.

Fast-forward more than fifty years, and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley is giving the tradition another outing. His No Better Riddim, released digitally through Ghetto Youths International, gathers sixteen tracks, including the instrumental version, on one production. Several songs were already available as singles, but hearing them together gives us a better picture of what Marley had in mind.

And there’s a strong cast of singers and singjays on board. Romain Virgo, Richie Spice, Pressure Busspipe, Turbulence and Queen Omega bring experience and familiar voices, while MediSun, Zaila Jazz and Jemere Morgan represent a younger generation. It’s a combination that works well, particularly because the artists don’t all take the riddim in the same direction.

Jemere Morgan’s Know Better gets things underway, setting the stage for a collection that moves comfortably between lovers rock and conscious roots reggae. The opening stretch is mainly concerned with affairs of the heart. Romain Virgo’s Lay My Head, already making its mark as a hit, is one of the obvious highlights. Pressure Busspipe delivers the appealing So Amazing, while Turbulence explores romantic connections on Twin Flames. Queen Omega’s Should Have Known Better brings a more troubled side of love into the picture, giving the selection some welcome emotional depth.

Further along, the lyrical focus changes. Love songs make way for faith, spirituality and everyday struggles. Chino McGregor’s Jah Will Be There and MediSun’s Rastafari Love are particularly worth checking out. Damian Marley rounds things off with the instrumental No Better Riddim (Version), giving listeners a chance to appreciate the backing track without vocals.

The strength of a juggling album has always been its ability to show what different artists can do with the same musical foundation. But there’s also a drawback: sixteen tracks on one riddim can become repetitive, especially when the individual songs don’t offer enough personality. Here, the balance between romantic themes and more spiritually minded material helps prevent that from happening.

No Better Riddim doesn’t reinvent the format, nor does it need to. Its appeal lies in the variety of voices, the mix of established and emerging talent, and a handful of songs that deserve repeated plays. For those of us who remember the golden days of the one riddim compilations, it’s good to hear the tradition still getting attention from a producer of Damian Marley’s calibre.