One of VP's latest releases in their Riddim Driven series is the 'Hot Gyal'-riddim, and it's another riddim that seems to mark the return to the pure bashment style, a little less sparse, more socaish even at times. This bouncy riddim has been built by Craig Parks a.k.a. Left Side, son of famous bass player Lloyd Parks, and involved in several of the riddims that put the Kings Of Kings production team firmly on the map, like 'Martial Arts'. Produced by Real Music Productions (a team that includes singer Anthony Malvo), this catchy riddim brings out the best in the ones voicing it. "Vibe With Us" immediately shows Bounty Killer riding the riddim in fine form alongside Brian & Tony Gold. "Ask Somebody" is a nice combination tune pairing Bling Dawg with Ward 21, and Vybz Kartel delivers one of his stronger tunes released lately with "Hall Of Fame". The combination of Sizzla & Jigsy King works out great as well in their ganja tune "Marijuana" and a strong slack "Wet Now" by Mr. Lexx is followed by Roundhead's "On The Boulevard". Luckily there's also a good share of singers present with strong tunes. The nowadays omnipresent Da'Ville does the strong "Ladies Man", Christopher, who had a fair amount of tunes a year or two back, but seemed to slip away is back with the great "Fuss & Fight" and Lukie D tells what this riddim is best used for in "We Party". A new and great female singer enters the arena, Cylinthia's "Hang Up" is one of the strongest tunes on this album, having a rival in Real Music's own Anthony Malvo alongside Capleton and Jah Thunder on the track lending its name to the riddim "Hot Gyal". Wayne Wonder seems to have a go at the dancehall floor instead of the Billboard chart, his delivery is certainly in the right style for the charts on "Hooked On You" but the DJ-parts by newcomer Showki Ru might not be polished enough. Anthony B is on full steam as well in his "Western Union" and I leave it up to anyone picking up this set of great tunes over this catchy bashment riddim to find out whose styles Bum Blast and Natural Blacks follow for their "Gal Dem Yard" and "Cult Leaders, nice tunes, but not original in delivery.