Dirtsman – “Hot This Year” (1991)
Little over a year before being gunned down, Jamaican DJ Dirtsman recorded the big tune “Hot This Year,” on the riddim with the same name. Produced by Smart for his Tan-Yah label (it was reissued by Digital B and Tuff Gong), the riddim utilized Pro Tools and, it has been said that it was the first dancehall hit to use the now-pervasive recording program. Yet another example of Smart’s recording genius and ability to stay relevant despite Jamaican music’s constantly changing styles and sounds.