THE VAGABOND!

Rest in peace to one of the COOLEST talents Soca music has ever produced. Mr. Ricardo Drue!

'Normalcy?': A review of Soca Gold 2021

Irregular. I don't want to spend too much time talking about that.... thing that happened last year and  pretty much locked everyone in the house for a long time and wiped a lot of us out, because I'm tired of hearing about it and that's not what we do around here. But there was definitely a resounding impact to be felt virtually everywhere in the world and, certainly, music was not one of the rare exemptions. When you really think about music, although it is appreciable in almost any situation, is actually quite visible and the further we go along in terms of time and technology, the more that becomes the case. It is also, as it has always been, a unifier. It brings people together in many different ways (literally and figuratively, especially considering the type of music we cover around here) and when, suddenly, actually coming together becomes a potentially fatal thing (that's just a fucked up thing to type out) you can, at least temporarily, WOUND music. Almost instantly there were things such as virtual performances, concerts (virtual clashes) and full-on virtual carnivals and, a year later, we're still seeing much of that now, with the total return (presumably and at least in most cases) set to come in 2022. And of course, there were also dozens (maybe even hundreds by now) of songs (a personal favourite of mine being the genius 'New Hail' by Zagga) and we'll probably still being seeing  those for at least a few more years. And that's fine;  likewise it's just another topic to sing about. But music will heal. It will restore itself and it will do so immediately. Obviously something like a concert will inherently lose a bit (just about all of it) of its appeal when you remove the crowd. It basically becomes just a television show and there just so happens to be a certain genre for which "a television show" will simply not suffice. Of course, I am talking about my beloved Soca which almost NEEDS a crowd to reach maximum effect and, should you remove that crowd, it  turns into almost some type of a social experiment (which, again, hopefully ends COMPLETELY in 2022). It also does not help that the genre is somewhat 'seasonal' so, unlike in Reggae, you kind of don't have that entire year to expect certain things (and I've likened it to movies. Generally speaking the longer movies tend to be dramas. I am willing to drive you crazy and play with your emotions for three hours, but I cannot possibly beat the shit out of you for the same amount of time, which is why you don't generally see action films of that length). HOWEVER, the business and the practice of Soca music did go on and will go on.

While the road remained clear this year, the vibes were not bare and you can even make the case that... certain occurrences have forced some artists to bring out a new part of their games as we're now beginning to hear songs which are talking about how much the miss the party and how much fun it will be when things get back to normal (EASILY the best of these type of songs is Skinny Fabulous' DAMAGING 'Pieces', but there're several others which are very good as well and I will tell you about a few more of them shortly). On the album side in particular, unfortunately, things haven't changed for the most part and the last couple of years, as the couple before that and the couple before that, haven't produced much out of the ordinary and unexpected. Save for the same two or three individuals, with the odd surprise here and there (which is also expected, actually), the business of Soca artists making albums has remained predictably slow. Still, regardless of who or what may've intervene, the genre's most recognizable release has not taken a year off.

Of course we're talking about "Soca Gold", the annual compilation from VP Records. The oft-scrutinized release has actually enjoyed a fairly good spell over the course of the past two years or so, at least in my opinion, with the most recent two (I was about to name them, as if you couldn't figure it out) (I dare not insult YOUR intelligence like that) (I'll insult mine all I want, thank you very much) being pretty good installments of the series. "SG2020", in fact, though it may've lacked the absolute biggest tunes (it did), did contain a handful of real winners, including what may've just been my single favourite from the year (a tune called 'The Struggle' from an artist who just happens to have the biggest tune on this year's edition as well) ["Get ya dictionary, learn about the esophagus"]. "SG2019" wasn't quite as strong, but it was another more than decent compilation which, as you would hope, featured some of the biggest names from the genre with a few stellar efforts. So because of that and the fact that I just always do, I was damn interested to seeing what would become of "Soca Gold 2021" which has now arrived. First of all, let's give it the credit of the eye that it deserves because they clearly put a lot of effort into it: There is that cover. While not very different from its most immediate predecessor (it isn't very different from any of them, actually - beautiful woman in some type of pose "Soca Gold" and a year written somewhere around her) (although "SG2019" gave you a double shot, which was a first for the series), it is outstanding. This model, whoever she may be, is gorgeous just like last year's (my personal favourite remains 2003's cover which featured Camille Marshall and all of her wonderful Camille Marshallness) and next year's most likely as well. And pretty faces are nice (and so are pretty bodies), but what about the music? A very casual glance at the names which fill the ranks of "SG2021" should make you quite happy. Some of Soca's biggest active names have supplied the ammunition for this year's project and you also have one or two pieces from names who may not know at all and should keep an eye on for the future. You also have one moment which, though wholly unexpected, is a most welcomed addition. Although with that being said, when you get down to scrutinizing it just a bit (which is the fun part!), you see something a bit unusual about it at the end (literally). Dig in!

If that world sized hanging cloud of... contagion were to have an effect on putting together a program such as this one, I would have thought last year would have been the time when we would have seen the biggest evidence of it, but it seems as if that cloud's lingering ass may have gotten into the batch in 2021. Until we arrive at that point, however, "Soca Gold 2021" is, honestly, quite fun. A nice sized chunk of those good times are had at the head of things in the most remarkable form of 'Jerusalema', a global hit from South African artist and producer Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode. This isn't the first time such a track has popped up on a Soca Gold, if you recall (you don't) wayyyyyyyyy back on "SG2010", there was 'Party Hard' from British artist, Donae'o (I don't know what became of Donae'o but he's not come up on my radars since then, but I'm going to assume that he has gone onto big successes, nevertheless), so VP has previously had an eye on securing more 'world music' hits to place on its projects. Does it have a place? To my ear, 'Party Hard' was not Soca music even slightly and probably would have found a more fitting place on Reggae Gold (although I'm not complaining about it being on the album, I had no problem with it), but 'Jerusalema' does have more Groovy Soca textures to it. If you took the exact same song and did it in English with a Soca artist, no one would say anything about it being on this album. As for the quality, you listen to a song like this and you do not wonder exactly how it grew to become what it was. It is all kinds of infectious and definitely one of the finest selections here, regardless of its genre. We leave the shores of beautiful South Africa and from there we head to more usual boundaries as we get 'Go Gal' from Bajan Soca Empress, the incomparable Alison Hinds. This piece of Soca royalty actually does a bit of genre twisting as well as 'Go Gal' is probably about as much (if not slightly more) of a Dancehall tune as it straight up Soca. Just like the tune ahead of it, however, you can feel free to call it whatever you like, but it is a lot of FUN. As far as I know, the tune is a new one and VP has gone all-in on it making it the first official single from "SG2021" and you're also likely to find a video for it somewhere in here (which means that there'll be a video both ahead and behind this paragraph) and with someone with a history and, clearly, a PRESENT like Hinds', it comes as no surprise (I'm also wondering if them focusing on her like this has more of a reason that just this one album.... hmmm). And also near the head of "SG2021" you'll find a song with which I have a problem (and another one with a video you may find somewhere in this review). 'Private Party' comes to us via Soca supernova, Machel Montano (who did give us an album this year, "The Wedding", in stores now) and it is excellent. Observing the current state of the world ["Times are changing, this is a different day. I nah waiting. Leh wi embrace the change"], Montano, in a very socially distanced manner, holds a private celebration and you're invited. You can shake ya ass and jump and wave in your own house and you don't even have to wear clothes if you want (just keep those curtains closed if you do). My problem with this song? 'Private Party' is featured on the same Origin Project which backs Skinny Fabulous' ridiculous 'Act Normal' -- one of my favourite Soca songs of the past half decade or so -- so everytime I hear any other song on that riddim, I immediately began singing 'Act Normal' in my head (including 'Selfish', Skinny's other song on it). That is to no fault of anyone's (I guess technically it is Skinny Fabulous we could blame) and Montano's tune is fantastic.

Machel Montano actually makes a second appearance on "SG2021", with the second shot coming in the form of the freezing cool 'Gud Gud', alongside Hey Choppi. I'm going to call it Groovy Reggae, but you can call the infectious, addictive offering whatever you like. It just has such a sweet sound to it and, out of all the songs they could have chosen for this album, they selected wisely in adding this one here as it now gets a healthy dosage of new ears and brains to dazzle. VP also did well to head back to Barbados and this time pick up Jus D, who supplies them with also excellent 'Single'.

"If you have one man, well I could make two

And if you deal wid gal, well I could deal with she too"

Again, you take this song and leave it where it is and it becomes shut off to a degree (I could be wrong, but I don't think I've ever heard it before), but you place it within this project and though it is buried in here around bigger names who will surely get more attention, A LOT of people will now hear it who would not have gotten the opportunity otherwise and I predict A LOT of those people will love it. Jonnelle and Trinidad Killa may also be making first impressions with their work on "SG2021" and if so, there will certainly be a whole heap of people walking away impressed by what they here in 'Watch Ova Wi'. One of the more lyrical efforts on the album, 'Watch Ova Wi', is actually somewhat of a spiritually charged social commentary, with an outstanding chorus. It is damn difficult to shake out of your head and you will not be complaining about it. I was really happy that they chose to include a song like this one because not only does it potentially bring in new fans to the artists, but it's just a strong display of talent and, for this release in particular, in registers in its very own unique way. And also, those he's already appeared on three or four Soca Gold albums to date, maybe you aren't too familiar with the work of Ricardo Drue from out of Antigua (and if you are such an unfamiliar individual, allow me to recommend that you check out 'Vagabond' and become acquainted) and 'South Man' may be one of your first experiences with his work. If that is the case then you'll be on the hunt for something else that he's done (have I told you about 'Vagabond'???) because, though it comes and goes very quickly (at just two minutes and fifteen seconds, it is the shortest song here by nineteen seconds) it's another one which has a captivating sound. Dev joins Drue and though I haven't been the biggest fan of Dev's over the years, maybe it's time I gave some of his work another listen.

The remaining four tunes on "SG2021" feature, along with Machel Montano, some of the  genre's biggest names and series staples and regulars. You may not actually get more "regular" Soca Gold than Edwin Yearwood who, in one way or another (be it solo or along with Krosfyah back in da day) has been on the majority of the Soca Gold releases. His track for 2021's edition, 'Resilience [Make It Work]' is another which is observational of the times and Yearwood is eager to rebuild and get back to the way things used to be. I have heard better work from Edwin Yearwood in the past (these days, for whatever reason, I find myself stuck on 'Chrissening') (all-time favourite may be 'Neighbour'), but it has definitely been awhile and you would really expect such a winner from such an esteemed artist as Yearwood. 'Resilience' is a PERFECT song to be on this one.

"But wi shall live

Stay positive

Love, let and live

Practice to give

Each one help one

Help the next man

Cause that is the ultimate"

In terms of active right now, Skinny Fabulous is probably my favourite Soca artist (if we're talking all time, that's still Destra), but if it isn't the fire breathing St. Vincent native (but it is), then it may just be Patrice Roberts. During our hiatus she delivered one of the best Soca songs that I have ever heard, 'Judgment Stage' and that followed just an fantastic career altogether. Hers is an amazing talent and she's someone who I most look forward to hearing every year. Her addition to Soca Gold this year is another winner for her vault, 'Dai Mine'. Coming through across on the lovely Fem Fury Riddim from NMG Music the track finds Roberts marking her territory and declaring what is hers. The song, on the other hand, belongs to me, you and whoever else wants a piece of it. We all can share it. And then there is the BOOM[s] (there's two of them). Lastly is a pair of songs on the same riddim from a pair of reigning Soca royalty, as both Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons come through with dynamite on the 8 Bit Riddim, courtesy of producer, Xplicit Mevon. For his part, Garlin thrills lyrically (DUH!) on 'All House Is Road' where he says that 'the road' can exist anywhere you are. You don't need to literally go there (you can probably sit your ass right where you are and keep doing whatever you're doing, listen to this song and go there in your head). It is funny at times and just another brilliant piece from Soca music's all time lyrics king (an even more glaring example of that would be his downright EXHAUSTIVE aforementioned 'The Struggle', which was the best song on "SG2020" in my opinion)

"Dem laughing at Trinidad saying Carnival, wi doh have dat

Wi go tek speaker box and load it up on a van back 

Put rum inna knapsack, THEN JUMP OUT INNA HAZMAT

Party in wi yard, yuh si di gate -

Wi not going pass that"

Lyons, on the other hand, is struggling. She's going all pass the gate and she has no idea how it happened on 'Sleepwalk'.

"Last night I had a dream, that's how I wake up outside

It was a scene, behaving like a landslide

All ova everything, to mi this was a fete-

Til someone shake and wake mi up, man look how I regret

WHY?!

Was the best part of di wine

And the best part of di grind

All on top of di stage, was di best part of di time

Only to realize, when I open up my eyes

Is sleepwalking, I sleepwalking

That's how they find mi outside"

You know you love you some carnival when, involuntarily, YOUR BODY GETS UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAMN NIGHT AND GOES OUT. She cannot help herself and, though I know it must be hard on her, I'm glad that her condition has inspired work like this. Somewhere between 'All House Is Road' and 'Sleepwalk' is the best song on "SG2021". If I had to pick one I'd.... fuck that, I don't have to pick one.

Overall, though it's a bit on the short side, "Soca Gold 20...... WHAT! That isn't it?! WHAT! In a damn curious move, attached to the end of the release are six ultra-familiar and well traveled tunes. Why? I have no clue. None at all. It would seem that it was the easiest way to make the album just a bit more plump and that is what VP chose to do. As for the actual songs, briefly, they're all pretty good but you if you've read this far into a review, you almost surely know them all. There's Yearwood again with 'Everytime'. It's an excellent song. You listen to it and pretty much anything he's made and it's easy to see exactly why VP has loved Yearwood over the years. His style is very CLEAR and open and he makes easily appreciable predominantly Groovy Soca music. Rupee's megashot 'Blame It [On De Music]' may be two decades old ('Everytime' might be even older, actually) and I can say virtually everything I said about 'Everytime' about it as well. It all applies. The Soca remix of 'Hold Yuh' from Gyptian appeared on the same "SG2010" that carried Donae'o's 'Party Hard' and it's here as well. I actually enjoyed this one from a nostalgic point of view because it has been a REALLY long time since I've last heard this version. South South West gives the GOLDEN 'Thelma' which was also on Soca Gold from nineteen years ago. I love this song, I've heard it this year surely so it has no sentimental value for me, but I may be in the minority on that. 'We Maniac' was a highlight from Garlin's 2007 album, "Global" (which was just a SOLID release) from VP Records and I guess it's a highlight here as well for what it's worth. I would guess that it was included for just a bit of a mix as the first four of these additions are Groovy-ish (although 'Thelma' may be somewhere between Groovy and Power, it's a bit softer if you're calling it Power). And finally, for real this time, is another Power Soca song, this one from Iwer George, 'Gimmi Ah Bligh', which also featured on Soca Gold nineteen years ago. I don't love this one, all these years later, if I ever did, but it's here, it isn't bad at all and there you go. Also, if you are someone who will track down the physical release, it will feature a mix only for it done by DJ Puffy.

Overall (I guess), if you take off the final six songs (or leave them, whatever), I think what you have is an album which is damn fun. It's way too damn short inn that case, but the eleven new songs on "Soca Gold 2021" are fun. They are beautiful and varied and are done by a healthy mix of artists at various points in their respective careers. The name attached to the annual release is often put on a pedestal (there are quite a few passionate people when it comes to criticizing this album each and every year) but again, if you just take it for what is here (most of those critiques that I have heard over the years usually start with the phrase "where is....."), it's a pretty good release. There is another quite strong Soca compilation which has popped up recently by the name of "Soca Universe" from Monk Music, this year's edition of that album has THIRTY songs on it (and I think last year's did as well), so if you're missing something, it may be there. However, in a time which may just be (HOPEFULLY it is) unlike any other, in its own odd way, "Soca Gold 2021" ultimately does what it is supposed to do every year and provides a very fun and colourful experience.

Rated: 3.5/5

VP Records

2021

CD + Digital

What I'm Listening To: GODZILLA! GODZILLA! GODZILLA!

"Heart Is Willing" by Freddie McGregor [Jet Star - 2003]

Surely it had something to do with his impending new album, "True To My Roots", but I honestly couldn't tell you, AT ALL, what it was that specifically led me back to this random, thirteen-year-old release from the legendary Freddie McGregor, "Heart Is Willing". All but forgotten these days (unfortunately, like so many of the releases that Jet Star Records - which is terrible, because they did so much fine work in their time and are well missed), "Heart Is Willing" was a very, VERY solid which still glows a bit these days, in retrospect. Its brightest moment, without a doubt, was the colossal title track, but it was album which boasted such nice songs as the lovely 'Smile For Me', 'You Don't Have To Worry', 'Old Gangster' and others. A very pleasant and RELIABLE release and, just to let you know, I have a VERY good feeling about McGregor's new album and am well looking forward to it. Until then, this blast from the past is holding sublimely.

CD + Digital

'If This Isn't Love' by Jalena [Jalena - 2016]

There will always be room on my players for Achis Reggae favourite, Jalena, who recently returned with a brand new single, the Reggae-fied, 'If This Isn't Love'. Hopefully this is at the head of a new full project coming soon from the all kinds of delightful Tortola native, but on its own, as is her norm, 'If This Isn't Love' is a captivating and infectious drop from someone who I constantly make sure to check for and she never disappoints.

Digital

"Kush Tafari" by Ras Abja [Iaahden Sounds - 2015]

Check this more than solid EP release via Iaahden Sounds from late last year, "Kush Tafari", by outstanding VI veteran, Ras Abja. The last time we heard from Abja, in full form, was back in 2013 with "Songs Fa Jah", and while we'd LOVE a full followup, this five-tracked EP release was definitely something which did more than hold your attention. Of course, when you tap names such as Ancient King, Ras Attitude and Akae Beka to help you, you're likely, AT WORST, to do something relatively special. It was the combinations (particularly 'Black Lion' with Ancient King) which took top honours here, in my opinion, but all of the songs were very well done and a big credit goes to Iaahden who has already done some very big things and we hope they continue.

Digital

The Jah Army Riddim [Frankie Music - 2016]

And if you haven't already (shame, shame on you!), be nice to yourself and pick up the Jah Army Riddim from Frankie Music today.There was a single GIANT song on this riddim which put me on this track and, save for the last two things you'll see here (if we do this right), it has well been THE most prominent thing I've been listening to recently. That song, 'Just Another Spliff' came via the great Lutan Fyah and... TEARS! The man speaks on using the herb as a method of escape the hardships of life and as a mental upliftment for the masses and does it in a VINTAGE fashion over what is, to their credit, a cavity causing backfrop from Frankie Music. Joining the Fyah on the vocals weren't the biggest of names in Feluke, Torch, Raging Fyah, Chevaughn and Mackeehan, but they all turned in fine efforts and I struggle to pick a favourite amongst them (though if you REALLY pressed me, I'd probably say Feluke with 'Soul Alive' [TEARS!]).

Digital

"Everlasting" by Raging Fyah [VP Records - 2016]

Biggup Bredz for not only insisting that I take a listen to "Everlasting", the latest release from the Raging Fyah band, but then (clearly in order to make sure that I had done so), CONSTANTLY wanting to talk about it. It finally worked, he wore me down and as usual... he was right (please don't tell him I said that). I'm still working on this one, but the early returns have a... very interesting aura or smell about them (I'm trying not to say 'album of the year', but I'm struggling with that). "Everlasting" is BEAUTIFUL! Thirteen tracks span just over fifty minutes of music and not a single second is wasted and, instead, is made great usage of, especially at moments such as 'Get Up', 'Wondering', 'Live Your Life', the MAMMOTH 'Ready For Love' and several others (pretty much the entire album). J Boog, Jesse Royal and Busy Signal (twice) lend a hand on an album I'm sure that Steel Pulse would approve of and so would all of their fans. NOT TO BE MISSED!

CD [in a minute] + Digital

"Way Up Project" [Bass Ink Productions/Fox Fuse - 2016]

I mention the entire project because... I dont know why, exactly, I just do. And definitely biggup the likes of Lil Rick, Shanta Prince, Joaquin Brewster and even Skinny Fabulous whose tune on the riddim, 'Pompous', isn't present on this release (more on him in a minute, anyway) for some reason or another - they all do fine work (Brewster's tune, 'Home' - PROBLEMS!). HOWEVER, with that being said, the Way Up Project from Bass Ink Productions and spread out by the indomitable Fox Fuse, carries a song which I've tried unsuccessfully to get out of my head for a month or so now, 'ID [Stamp Yuh Name]' by the fire breathing Ricardo Drue. Drue has been on a tear for the last two or three years or so, making music as good as anyone in Soca in my opinion and, with respect to 'Vagabond' (and its truly ridiculous remix), this is probably my new favourite Ricardo Drue song. 

"SO RIGHT NOW, LET'S DO SOMETHING THEY'LL REMEMBER! [THEY'LL REMEMBER!]

Digiital [in a minute]

'Godzilla' by Skinny Fabulous [Stadic Studio Productions & Wetty Beatz - 2016]

Lastly, each and every year when it comes to Soca music, one of the things I look forward to the most is what St. Vincent dragon, Skinny Fabulous, will pop up with, particularly when it comes to the powerful and ANGRY brand of the music. His latest release, 'Godzilla' took a little while, but it has TURNED UP in my mind and I cannot shut it down! If you have some frustration and some steam to let go, 2016 probably hasn't done more for you than it does with Skinny's truly MADDENING latest drop (which should, once again, absolutely lay Victoria Park to ruins in a few weeks). RIDICULOUS!

Digital [eventually... I guess]