Lets Ride (John Shop, 2003)

This one-rhythm album from the up-and-coming New York label John Shop Records is a forceful, uncompromising affair featuring the propulsive Lets Ride riddim, a fairly typical yet still compelling dancehall beat from producer Teethimus featuring classical strings playing off of an array of digital buzzes and whizzes.  As is implied by the cover art, the lyrics here generally don't stray far beyond bragging, violent gun lyrics, which can wear thin with some listeners but can also deliver the requisite dose of adrenaline to those looking for it.  The best track is probably Wayne Marshall's "Distance Mi Self," a punishing jam from this promising artist that begs to be blasted from car stereos from coast to coast.  Also strong are Hawkman's "Run di World," Angel Doulas' "Mama's Child" (one of the few singer cuts on the album), Zumjay's "For My Dawgs," Danny English's Red Dragon-like "Surprise," Ice Man's "Gunshot & Barrages," and veteran Mega Banton's "Badman a Badman."  Unfortunately, it's a lot to ask for one rhythm to support 21 full-length tracks, and as such, the second half of Lets Ride sounds less fresh and tends to drag a bit.  Still, though, it's a safe bet that John Shop has the talent -- both producer-wise and artist-wise -- to stick around for quite a while.