First up this week is something that comes as a bit of a disappointment as Eesah recently dropped his brand new (and well anticipated by me) album, "Success", for Evidence Music. Though I'd heard some of the clips of the music and had an idea of what to expect, I guess it didn't hit me, fully, as to what I was listening to until I had the entire thing in my hands. "Success" isn't at all BAD necessarily and it does showcase the ample talents of its star but it's about half Reggae/half R&Bish and, again, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised but... damn I was hoping for a big Reggae album to close 2025 out on. There is still material here worth listening to, even on the non-Reggae end ('Rise My People' is actually pretty decent) but it isn't the album I was looking forward to hearing - at least half of it isn't.
'Pull D Pin' by Machel Montano, Skinny Fabulous and Lil Natty & Thunda [Monk Music - 2025]
Of course, we're nearing the most magical time of the year and music from some of the biggest stars of Soca has already began to steadily come out of Trinidad (and other places) and amongst the very best tunes that I've heard thus far has been this MASSIVE combination shot featuring frequent collaborator Skinny Fabulous with Lil Natty & Thunda alongside the great Machel Montano. When I got what was going on here, I was actually a little surprised that no one (that I know of) had taken this angle on a Soca song before because it works to perfection as, once again, Montano links with Skinny Fabulous; this time bringing in big-voiced Lil Natty (hardly ever talk about Lil Natty & Thunda (a duo) but Natty's voice is fantastic for what he does with it) and Thunda from Grenada to drop a grenade all over Carnival.
'We Doh Play' by Destra [Krazi Music]
Also getting the season started on a good note is the incomparable Queen of Bacchanal, Destra, who tells all the absolute obvious with 'We Doh Play' (as if we haven't known that about her from looooooooooong time). Love the horns on this one and how it sort of bubbles below total chaos for the most part but, in a glimpse or two, it crosses that threshold and makes the dust raise. Hopefully we get an album this season from Destra; as she's already dropped a couple of nice tunes and it's looking like another stellar Carnival from the greatest to ever do it for me.
'Pass Di Chalice' by Cali P [Cali P (song has three different labels on it)]
Seems a minute since last we heard from loooooooongtime favourite, Cali P (hasn't been too long at all. He had an album just last year) but he's back with a SWEET ganja tune, 'Pass di Chalice' for Mouthwatering Records (I THINK). Cali P's been trying a few different things in recent years in terms of his style but this one settles on ultra-familiar, downright sugary terrain. More of this from Cali P in the new year wouldn't be too bad a'tall.
"No gimmi nuttin else, a di chronic a fi wi choice
Tell mi what's di cost, cah mi ready fi pay di price"
The Volume Riddim [Greensleeves Records - 2000]
I'll wait until next week (probably) to tell you exactly how a random quarter-century old riddim has made its way back on my players but right now I'm just going to suggest that you join me and go diving in the vault of Greensleeves riddim albums because you too may stumble upon a GEM like I did in this Ward 21 produced piece, the Volume. As was the norm at the time, the Volume was absolutely LOADED with big names as, appearing alongside the Ward themselves (they had two tracks, one, 'One More Start A War', was a combination featuring Ele & Wayne Marshall. Ele also had another solo tune, 'Fake Man', while Marshall had two other combinations, with Harry Toddler and Baby G, respectively)) were the likes of Bounty Killer, Mad Cobra, TOK, Kiprich, the oft-brilliant Madd Anju, Mr. Vegas, Lexxus and Beenie Man who, arguably, reigned supreme as he absolutely SLAUGHTERED the Volume with the stellar 'Moses Cry'.
In case you haven't noticed (you poor, poor soul), it is late in the year and that MAGICAL time where Soca music begins to bubble and blossom as some of the genre's biggest stars begin unloading their arsenals for the forthcoming Carnival season. What happens, in good years is, despite the fact that most artists will wait a few weeks or so to release their absolute biggest tracks, we still get some very good early shots and this year, things are looking bright! I thought I'd take a minute and tell you about a few of my personal early favourites from Carnival 2024 which, if what we've heard thus far is any indication, is looking GOLDEN. Let's go.
'Anxiety' by Patrice Roberts
First up is a tune that I've told you about previously but, in a MOST UNFORTUNATE way, it's taken on an entire new life and also it does remain the single most beautiful piece of work that I've heard thus far. 'Anxiety' is the latest gem from Soca supernova, Patrice Roberts. WONDERFULLY it deals with subjects such as mental health and the overall strength of Soca music and what it does for the masses. If you do not recall or have not heard, last week we lost Ricardo Drue, who transitioned unexpectedly. Drue and Roberts were engaged and, because of that, and just due to the fact that it is absolutely fantastic, 'Anxiety' has become even more powerful and such a noteworthy song not only for Roberts and Drue, but for the entire genre going into 2024. Obviously you don't want to have such circumstances 'fueling' any release of any kind, but even prior to this, 'Anxiety' had the wheels to carry such a heavy weight. It is absolutely fantastic.
'Devotion' by Destra
I'll name you others (including almost everyone in this same post), but make no mistake about it: My favourite Soca artist is and has always been the divine Destra and she has come out for Carnival 2024 blazing on the power of the typically brilliantly chaotic 'Devotion'. This tune is downright exhausting! IT WILL WEAR YO ASS OUT! This action movie of a song easily ranks amongst Destra's finest from any season in recent memory and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for the season (check another nice set she had not too long ago by the name of 'Rosie'. Very nice song).
'Big Stage' by Skinny Fabulous & Olatunji
No post such as this one could be incomplete without the inclusion of Vincy blowtorch, Skinny Fabulous who has three or four new tunes about already and the best of them, to my opinion is 'Big Stage' which finds 'Godzilla' linking with Olatunji in a big way. This one actually took a bit of time to grow on me. There's sort of a unique progression to 'Big Stage', if you allow yourself to get into it. They're talking about being kids and experiencing the vibes and being bitten by that bug and how, as not only adults but adults who actually make the music, that experience has changed. The tangible result of that in terms of sound is a BEAUTIFULLY moody selection which ramps up and down in intensity throughout making for, perhaps subtly, one of the most distinctive tracks I've heard in a minute.
'TGIM' by Lil Natty & Thunda
Speaking of distinctive tracks, take a listen to 'TGIM' by surging Grenadian duo Lil Natty & Thunda. The pair have given me a number of personal favourites in recent times such as 'Top Striker', 'Get In Your Section' and 'The Ambush' just last year (or this year, technically) and they're adding to the lot in 2024 with this offering. You've heard of people celebrating Friday as it ushers in the weekend where, presumably, you might not have to work and can go out and enjoy yourself. Natty & Thunda, on the other hand, are lifting it up for Monday, because who cares!
"THANK GOD IT'S MONDAY!
AND IT'S CARNIVAL SOMEWHERE!"
Remember everyone: Be thankful for every moment you have because IT IS CARNIVAL SOMEWHERE!
'Richter Scale' by Fay-Ann Lyons
You knew she was coming. Aza Sefu's early efforts have been outstanding as you would expect (because they always are) and my favourite by the slimmest of margins (with respect to 'Miss Bitch') is PROBABLY 'Richter Scale'. Despite its ridiculous energy, 'Richter Scale' is fairly straight forward in its... absolute madness and it also has a more visual quality to it. You get a picture of Lyons performing 'Richter Scale' in your head and the lack of common sense it will inspire.
"When wi pull up - well everything start break"
Everything will break and it will be fun!
'Miss Bitch' by Fay-Ann Lyons
Okay, so I kept listening to it and.... maybe 'Richter Scale' isn't better of the two. So, in order to offer you your own opportunity to make a decision, here's FAL's other great tune from the season thus far, 'Miss Bitch'. Unlike 'Richter Scale', this drop is a bit more spiraling and it goes in several different directions. What stand out, however, is the overall sound and lyrics. Backed by the golden Do You Riddim courtesy of DJ Avalanche, Lyons is sure to remind all to THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK to her.
"I doh care how you feel about
I doh care what you think about
Just doh let it come out yuh mouth"
'Carnival Day' by Voice & Patrice Roberts
I wasn't going to mention this one but, to be fair, by all registerable levels and qualities that I use to measure how good a song is, 'Carnival Day' has it to spare. EASILY one of the finest tracks that I've heard thus far, Voice and the aforementioned Roberts come together to produce what HAS to be considered an early favourite for Road March.
'Carnival Contract' by Bunji Garlin
And then there's the boom.
"MI AND CARNIVAL HAVE A CONTRACT: EVERY YEAR WI GO HARD LIKE NAIL
I ON DE ROAD WID TRUCK BIGGER THAN HUMPBACK WHALE"
I do want to say that while I do expect something madder from reigning TnT Road March king, Bunji Garlin (and you could well say that THE tune that will receive the biggest push might be 'Forward', but I think he goes even further than that), I am just as confident in saying that whatever it turns out to be will lack the overall RIDICULOUSLY EFFORTLESS LYRICAL ASSAULT that comes in the form of 'Carnival Contract'.
"I tell my wife, I love your vibe and you should come along
She send invites to all wi likes, now wi bout forty strong"
Also, produced by one (two, actually) Banx & Ranx, there is something about the beginning bounce of 'Carnival Contract' which every so faintly reminds me of a tune called 'Get On' by Garlin's wife, the aforementioned Sefu; literally one of the greatest songs of all time. In a class like that, it has to be top notch as Bunji Garlin, once again, SCORCHES.
