Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali (Greensleeves, 2002)

One-rhythm albums have hit a whole new level over recent years with the emergence of Greensleeves' Greensleeves Rhythm Album series and the competing Riddim Driven series from VP.  I have mixed feelings about this development: although I've never been a big fan of one-rhythm releases and think that not all of these beats can individually support an entire album, I appreciate the fact that 1) these are clearly identified as rhythm albums (no unpleasant surprises), and 2) these series aid the riddim-challenged among us who don't know their Liquid from their Orgasm and their Bushy Bushy from their G-String (are we still talking about music?).  Greensleeves claims that Diwali is "the most popular rhythm worldwide," and while this may be true, there's only one Diwali release so far, unlike the two apiece for the Hard Drive and Martial Arts riddims.  Admittedly, the Diwali rhythm on its own doesn't strike my fancy much, although I give producer Steven "Lenky" Marsden credit for originality with his percussive hand-clapping India-inspired beat, which I first heard on Bounty Killer's "Sufferer," from his Ghetto Dictionary album.  You have to admit, though, that there's significant appeal to many of the songs on this compilation.  The high-energy music lends to a fun, party air, which is utilized to nice effect on tracks like "Party Time," "Galang Gal," "Bubble and Wine," "It's OK," and "Elephant Message," which borrows the melody from the '80s pop hit "99 Red Balloons."  A great majority of the tunes here are performed by DJs, but two of the better songs are sung: Wayne Wonder's "No Letting Go," augmented by an airy digital flourish, and the inspirational "Overcome" by Wayne Marshall.  It's surprising, however, that one of the best uses of the Diwali riddim I've heard -- Sean Paul's "Get Busy" -- is nowhere to be found.  It's a shame that lesser tracks take its place, but on the whole, Diwali is a solid one-rhythm album.