Various – Better Days Riddim

This year Oneness Records from out of Munich, Germany celebrates its 10th anniversary, which starts off with the release of a worthy sampler featuring 10 of the label’s favourite tunes released in the past 10 years and a brand new roots reggae selection entitled “Better Days Riddim”.

Since they entered the reggae arena its production team consisting of BenJammin, Morry “Da Baron” (bass player of Dub Inc.) and mixing engineer extraordinaire Umberto Echo has turned Oneness Records into one of the most reliable imprints when it comes to creating some of the finest reggae music. Not only did they produce stellar riddim selections like for example the “Rise Up Riddim”, “African Children Riddim”, “Backstabber Riddim”, “Yemisi Riddim”, “Retro Locks Riddim”, “Rub A Dub Man Riddim” and “Reggaeville Riddim”, but they were also the driving force behind albums from Sara Lugo, Mark Wonder, and Naptali.

With “Better Day Riddim” Oneness Records releases yet another superb riddim project. The riddim however is very familiar to our ears as we first heard it on Treesha’s 2015 debut abum “Listen” where it backed the infectious lovers tune “Love You Like 123”, done in collaboration with Skarra Mucci. That tune is now surrounded by vocal cuts from a roster of great vocal talents. It’s the ‘Black Youth from Harar’, Iba Mahr, who gets things started in a big way with the powerful “Get Up And Show”, setting the pace for the rest of this album. Also real strong are the contributions from the trio Pressure Busspipe, Chezidek and Naptali, who – together with Iba Mahr – are reponsible for the most gorgeous part of this collection. A special mention deserves the impressive “Last Days”, a huge social commentary delivered by Clarendon native Naptali. The inclusion of Umberto Echo’s dubbed up version of Jahcoustix & Dub Inc’s “Better Days” will please the dubhead, while those who are always eager to hear the straight version of a riddim are well served at the end of this selection.