Signatures Vol XV: Destra

My Father loves music. Outside of a very select group of people (and maybe an animal or two), he probably doesn't love anything else more than music. My Father's also from Trinidad and I grew up listening to a variety of different sounds with Calypso/Soca amongst them. I didn't particularly like it though which may be hard to believe if you've spent any time around here. What changed?? Maybe when I was in my... let's say very early 20's, I stumbled across the amazing Destra. Sure, she was easy on the eyes, and if I'm being completely honest, that likely had something to do with it - but you cannot listen to LOOKS. What you can listen to is what remains some of the most damn near NAUSEATINGLY INFECTIOUS music that I have ever heard from someone who would not only make me a fan of hers but a fan of an entire genre. Here's a long overdue homage to she who wears the crown. Signatures: Destra 

1. 'Bacchanal'

They call me Bacchanal. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a "rebirth" (suggesting that she needed such a thing) (she did not) but 'Bacchanal' could definitely be seen as a rebranding for Destra. Thereafter (and still) she would adopt the Queen Of Bacchanal moniker and it was, at least presumably, partially due to the strength and success of 'Bacchanal'. The tune was exactly what its title suggested. It was the heights of ridiculousness and chaos and it was BEAUTIFUL! Belonging to a very small group of tunes that can lay claim to being the single greatest Destra has ever done, 'Bacchanal' was absolutely masterful and over fifteen years later, it has not lost a single thing.

"It's in my blood

It's in my veins

Can't wash it off, I'm forever stained"

2. 'Carnival' featuring Machel Montano

So special. Destra has worked well with a number of different artists throughout the years but perhaps no one to greater effect than the incomparable Machel Montano. For some reason their styles have always clicked and the results have been spectacular. Arguably none have been greater than 'Carnival', which I THINK was also their first combination. The nearly quarter-century old tune has long reached legendary status (right along its creators) as it paired together, undeniably, two of the greatests to ever do it in a devastating form -  both of them. What is here is hypnotic and virtually impossible to shake as on a list of addictive musical substances THIS is the most hooking of them all.

3. 'Welcome Back'

Anything goes. You know, I don't rightly remember what was going on prior to the release of 'Welcome Back'. Can't remember if she took it easy for a season and this tune was marking her return (and I don't feel like looking it up) or if it was just an idea she had for a song. Regardless of its origins, however, from the second I initially heard it, 'Welcome Back' became an instant favourite of mine from Destra and has remained so, fifteen years on. This is so despite the fact that there's nothing really unusual about it. It, ostensibly, doesn't separate itself from the proverbial pack much at all. The magic here is in the MEAT of the tune. When really dig into 'Welcome Back' it GLOWS. From its energy to its very subtle level of cleverness, not only was it not lacking on any front but it excels on ALL of them. Quietly (not really but you get what I mean) one of the strongest songs she's ever done, without question (and personally, the beginning of 'Welcome Back' is downright ICONIC for me. IT IS SPECIAL!).

4. 'Up In D Air'

Can't beat we yet. Much like the next entry on this list, 'Up In D Air' was very clever, whether we realized it or not (we definitely did see it in the next tune, one of her most celebrated and deservingly so) in its day. It was also as cool as it could possibly be. 'Up In D Air' was downright FROSTY! It just has such a sweet vibe to it and that goes on top of what is, again, a rather sagacious piece of writing from the QOB. Resting comfortably somewhere between Power and Groovy, the tune had all of the "jump & wave" styling that you would expect but that came in a way that wasn't... a bludgeoning. 

"Cause when it comes to fete

They can't beat we yet

So put your hand in the air, rag in the air"

5. 'I Dare You'

I dare you. I DARE YOU! Easily one of the biggest hits of Destra's entire career, 'I Dare You' was and remains an absolute DIAMOND of a song. It literally had EVERYTHING! It touched every vibe and hit ever nerve in the listener, making for an undeniably all-encompassing track. Another feather in its cap was the fact that it sits (without question for me) as one of the finest WRITTEN songs that Destra has ever done as well. For what it was, 'I Dare You' was pretty much fucking PERFECT and it's no wonder at all that it reached the heights that heights that it did, looking back.

6. 'Fly'

Up in the sky. 'Fly' and maybe two or three others on this list are DIFFICULT songs for me. These days it's fully DRIPPING nostalgia for me as another one of the first Soca songs from anyone that really got me. She would have to do more work to KEEP me (here's a list full of that work) but to put it simply: 'Fly' and songs like it made me a fan of a Destra in the first place and, by extension, the entire genre of Soca music. TEARS! 

7. 'Lucy'

I loose! Similar to the first song here, 'Lucy' marked another kind of rebranding of Destra as she took on what would become another popular nickname (and if you REALLY think about it, such things are pretty damn common in Soca). The song behind it, aside from the new name, was as hooking as it could possibly be. On a post FLOWING OVER with such selections, 'Lucy' is even catchier than most of them. Again, this is another song that benefitted from a multi-paced sound. There is SO much going on in here. It, literally, sounds like you're hearing the most melodic thunderstorm that you've ever encountered. Furthermore, if you listen to what she's actually saying, you'll get something out of it as well as Destra kind of paints Carnival and Soca music as this great revelation in her life which saw her go from growing up "as a real good girl" who was "always home" and "didn't go nowhere" to Lucy and to The Queen Of Bacchanal.

"THIS CARNIVAL HAVE ME SO DAMN LOOSE!"

8. 'Bonnie & Clyde'

I'm Your Queen! From beginning to end, 'Bonnie & Clyde' was frenetic.... ridiculous, wholesome goodness. More than twenty years on, it has not lost a single thing and it's even aged quite well and gathered quite a bit of international attention all of these years later. Absolutely gorgeous from the moment it released, 'Bonnie & Clyde' is simply one of the finest songs the entire genre has ever produced and it also does a mighty fine job in demonstrating what sets Soca apart from every other genre of music. You do not get pageantry and festivity like THIS anywhere else. It just does not exist anywhere else and it never will.

9. 'Mash Up'

We ready! I'm almost embarrassed (not really) that it took me a minute to come up with the name of this one because what I had in my head was what turned out to be the intro and then:

"WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

To MASH UP everything!"

'Mash Up' was absurdity and ridiculousness of the absolute highest caliber. The reaction to it was fierce as well as the tune proved to be a nice sized hit in its day and, as you can tell, it remains EXCELLENT a dozen years later. 

10. 'Savage'

LOSE. ALL. MY. CONTROL. 'Savage' was the crowning jewel from Destra's debut album release, "Red, White, Black" back in 2003 (an album which included the aforementioned 'Carnival') and, like 'Fly', it would have been amongst the very first Soca songs that really drew me in and kept my attention for awhile. These days, it's also brimming with nostalgia for me as it may not have been such a giant hit so I don't run into 'Savage' unless I'm looking for it, typically. You won't find it on many mixes and it won't be in the background of virtually anything but make no mistake about it: 'Savage' is EASILY one of the finest songs Destra has ever done. 

11. 'Max It Up'

Reach the top! 'Max It Up' is another lovely knockout punch from Destra of a song. It peaks pretty much INSTANTLY and spends the next three and half minutes or so at the same place or relatively close to it. Although at times it threatens to be fully overwhelming, 'Max It Up' never overdoes it (well... okay it kind of does overdo it but in a good way) (in a PERFECT way) and finds such a wonderful balance. ALSO [!] if you listen to what's going on here -- as hard as it is to do -- Destra rewards you with an eye looking forward for herself and the whole of Soca music.

"Oh Father, finally, you set di Soca free

Wi own category inside of di Grammy

And now you blessing wi internationally 

So when you watching wi feel proud a wi

On MTV & BET and di Grammy, it's alla wi

Support di Soca music, it's yuh identity"

12. 'Jumpin'

Defying gravity. The now twenty years old 'Jumpin' is another tune on this list that has a claim to being my absolute favourite Destra has ever done. Perhaps if you are a corpse you could pull this off but for my living readers, I'd challenge you (even in the wickedest of moods you may be in at the moment) to listen to this one and NOT smile. Something in here is sure to spark some sort of happiness in you. The mixture on 'Jumpin' is as impressive as ever. There's an undeniable melody here but in order to hear it, Destra kinda had to punch you in the face... DEAL! 

13. 'Link Up'

Step aside. For some reason, 'Link Up' has always reminded me somewhat of the next song that I'm going to tell you about and I've made a personal 'link' between the two over the years. For its part, I hear 'Link Up' these days and a couple of things stand out. The first is that entirely EPIC beginning. Maybe [probably] I'm the only one who feels this way but how that electric drumming ascends into:

"EVERYBODY GET WILD"

Has carved out a very comfortable and lasting place in my memory and it isn't going anywhere. The other thing which I hear more these days from 'Link Up' is just how damn crazy it is. So many of these songs -- and Destra at her best, in general -- combine elements of Power Soca with Groovy and though 'Link Up' is the same (it even has a little old school textures to my ears) but when it pinnacles, 'Link Up' is a TRUCK of a tune, rolling right over any and every one in its way. 

14. 'We Own It'

It's wi property. In retrospect, one of the most compelling assets of 'We Own It' was the fact that it kind of put its feet into two very different categories. On one hand, there's a very old schoolish, almost Calypso, sort of vibes to it while on the other, it will... 'We Own It' has no problem at all punching you in the face (and making you love it). Both of those work for me which is probably why the Jus Now steered track makes this list. This madness had a certain maturity and refinement to it.

"I feel to wine on a policeman

I ain't fraid incarceration"

Skinny Fabulous says there is ONE VINCY

Not always jump & wave all the time 

A Machel's Dozen

Okay so, 2026 has now seen Soca supernova, Machel Montano, overtake the legendary Lord Kitchener (and everyone else) in securing his record twelfth Trinidad Road March title. It's taken him not even thirty years to accomplish (which is very low if you think about it: It averages greater than a staggering two wins every five years) and that definitely deserves an 'Encore'! It also deserves quite a bit of recognition and observation and today we're doing our part! Let's take a look back at the road to #12: A Machel's Dozen. 

1997 - 'Big Truck'

Nearly three decades on now and although it has aged, you can still CLEARLY see the attraction to Machel's first Road March winning effort, 'Big Truck', as still a member of the Xtatik Band. As most certainly basic as it was (and still is), 'Big Truck' was also damn infectious (....and it still is) and, in retrospect, absolutely perfect for the road. The music has definitely changed over the past thirty years but its core appears to remain intact and 'Big Truck' was your locked and stocked Soca tune that checked all the boxes and.... it still does.

2006 - 'Band Of De Year[BODY]' featuring Patrice Roberts

It would be nearly a decade before Machel would take the road again and when he did.... I'm fairly confident in saying that 'Band Of De Year' is my single favourite song that Montano has ever done that has actually won Road March (I may favour others (like 'Rollin', for example) that didn't take home hardware but 'BODY' is at the top of this particular mountain). Why, exactly? First of all I absolutely love the fact that it not only finds a melody in the madness but its melody almost threatens to overwhelm the chaotic nature of the song at times and, at its end, that's what happens. You walk away from this one lost in some non-rage inspired fit of euphoria and it is GORGEOUS! Machel's music typically does that when he's in-form but this is even higher than 'usual'. Furthermore, the song brings back a time when Machel Montano routinely paired with someone whom I think he did some of the finest work of his entire career with, the PERFECT sidekick, Patrice Roberts. Someday, HOPEFULLY, we'll get it back but what they left us with was top notch and few were better than 'Band Of De Year'. 

2007 - 'Jumbie'

I just told you about a song that I thought may be my favourite on this entire run and while I'm standing by that (at least for the moment), if something were to push it or come in as a '1B' it would likely be the song which would net Montano his third Road March title, the very next year following his second, the ghostly 'Jumbie'. Again: Maybe you aren't the biggest fan of Soca and Power Soca, in particular, but listen to this song. Isn't it catchy and just nice to listen to?? Maybe it is a bit too much for you and that would be what would separate you from Soca head but somewhere in there is just A VIBE! What came with that vibe was ridiculous. It was heinous and it was disgusting and I loved every second of it. 

2011 - 'Advantage'

Ridiculous to think that it's now fifteen years old, 'Advantage' is another of the best of the bests for me on this list and it's very simple; I won't overstate it AT ALL. 'Advantage'. 'Advantage' was a BEAUTIFUL MADNESS. It was insanity "of a certain kind" (biggup Gentleman) and the absolute highest level possible. It did not sacrifice a melody -- it's in there -- but this was a refined chaos the likes of which you very rarely encounter.... and an acrobatic Soca Monarch winning performance of this one did not hurt either.

2012 - 'Pump Yuh Flag [PYF]'

In its day and probably to this day I may not have given 'Pump Yuh Flag' its due credit. I'm going to owe that fact to a tune by Fay-Ann Lyons by the name of 'Miss Behave' which likely garnered the vast majority of my attention that same year though I will (begrudgingly) admit that 'PYF' was a better choice for Road March (though 'Miss Behave' was a better song!) given what it does. You take a seemingly customary Power Soca tune that very coyly injects a bit of PRIDE on the road and you end up with this one. Lift up your flag, whichever it may be, and be proud of it! DONE!

2014 - 'Ministry Of Road [MOR]'

Sometimes you just run out of space and you need MORE. Machel Montano and co. set out to give you just that with his stellar 'Ministry Of Road' from a dozen years ago now. If such a thing is even possible on a list of songs that are only on the list because of what they've achieved - I think 'MOR' has been a little underrated to a point. It is better than certain tunes here that are more popular and even better regarded by the masses. This song, from purely how it SOUNDS, is top notch and pinnacles with, undeniably, one of the greatest choruses here... and that is definitely something big. 

2015 - 'Like Ah Boss'

"Everyday it's fete

I come out to fete

I bet I feting MORE THAN YOU

It's sweat

I come out to sweat

I wet

I sweating MORE THAN YOU

I come to whine & jam and I sure to catch it MORE THAN YOU!

Cause when I feting off-course

I just do it like a boss

I feting morning and evening!

This is my home, I'm not leaving!

I can't over this feeling!

THIS FEELING! 

I Just want to play mehself

Leave me, let meh play a mas

I just want to whine on something

I CAN'T LET NO BUMPA PASS

Mi pride in the lost and found

Watch me, how I whining down

I all on the dutty ground

And nothing can stop me now!

This whole year, I live for the Carnival

And I know, that it will be magical 

Misbehaving, and I doh care at all

SO DONT TRY STOP MI, I'S A PROFESSIONAL!"

You'll think of LYRICS and Soca and Trinidad and, of course, Bunji Garlin comes most immediately to mind and with good reason but do not sleep on, for what it was, the borderline genius that was ultra-popular 'Like Ah Boss'. 

2016 - 'Waiting On The Stage'

Maybe it was just me or maybe it wasn't but... wasn't there something kinda EVIL about 'Waiting On The Stage'??? The Badjohn Republic produced track had this wickedly intoxicating and pulsing intensity behind it that makes it a standout even amongst one or two songs that I may hold in ever so slightly higher regard. With that being said, however, make no mistake about it: Whatever 'Waiting On The Stage' had going for was well powerful enough to see it sitting at least in range of the very best material that Montano has ever done in my opinion. 

2018 - 'Soca Kingdom' featuring Super Blue

Here's a really interesting one. On paper, 'Soca Kingdom' lights up. It links Machel Montano with the legendary Super Blue who is, himself, one of the most decorated Soca stars in history; with TEN Road March titles of his own and a record SEVEN Soca Monarch crowns (including the first one ever) (and he's also, biologically responsible for even more hardware as the father of both multi-time Road March champion and former Soca Monarch, Fay-Ann Lyons and Terri Lyons (who just won her second Calypso Monarch crown this year). So you bring THAT type of talent to one song and it's no surprise the attention that it would receive. As for the actual song, while I can't call it a favourite of mine anymore, I have to confess that that, SOMETHING happens to me when I hear the beginning of 'Soca Kingdom'. Possibly because I haven't heard it much in recent years (but whatever it is), when this tune jumps on I get the feeling that something IMPORTANT is about to happen. That intro before what ultimately becomes the chorus is.... royal and wholly befitting of a kingdom with two kings. 

"FORWARD IS NOT ENOUGH

I WANT YOU TO JUMP UP" 

2019 - 'Famalay' featuring Bunji Garlin & Skinny Fabulous

There was just all kinds of magical goodness behind 'Famalay'. RIDICULOUSLY, the song would mark the very first Road March win by the great Bunji Garlin as former rivals, Montano & Garlin, would unite to produce, arguably, one of the most memorable Soca songs.... like ever. Furthermore, not to be forgotten is the presence of the always flaming Skinny Fabulous who would become the first non Trini to win Trinidad's Road March. What the trio would come up with was absolutely fantastic and it was also heavy, Power Soca music with a message. 

"We don't see race, one or the other

ONCE HE IS BREATHING ON THIS EARTH, HIS IS MY BROTHER"

The fitting unity anthem checked lyrical boxes. It was infectiously chaotic and one of THE best songs either of the three have ever done. Perfect for the road. 

2025 - 'Pardy'

TRINIDAD most certainly didn't need a reminder but maybe you did: Sometimes you just need to reward yourself for all of that hard work you do. Sometimes you have earned the right to misbehave in a major way. That was the sentiment behind Montano's hit, 'Pardy', which took top honours just last year. Produced by both XplicitMevon and BadJohn Republic, 'Pardy', in retrospect, was an affirmation of something that I've known for a very long time. Soca IS the musical reward of your hard efforts. It just is. It is the musical shot of dopamine that we all require once in awhile (or like all the time) and such a thing definitely deserves celebrating. Enter 'Pardy'. 

2026 - 'Encore'

And for #12, unsurprisingly Montano captured attentions and affections with the GOLDEN 'Encore'. Where 'Pardy' was a celebration of some very particular aspect of things, 'Encore ' was a FULLER experience. It was a total ceremony of a damn song and, following all that preceded it, it was completely appropriate. Get into the body of 'Encore' and attempt to detach it from any type of greater significance and you arrive at such a BEAUTIFUL level of delirium ["SHOW THEM THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE!"], showing a master still well within the peak of his abilities. That's it for now but Machel Montano certainly figures to add at least one more jewel to his gaudy catalogue which is already unmatched in the genre. 

As Expected: A review of Encore by Machel Montano

High. I want to go back to a discussion I was having recently in regards to an album we looked at late last year that was, easily, one of the most interesting and popular releases of 2025; "Exile" by Chronixx. One of the bases (basises???) that I used for the review of that album was to talk about there exists a certain class of artist that we look upon and full-on expect to do special things. That isn't to say that others CANNOT but with this specific group, it can be to the point where listeners will almost assume that special is in the offering and when too long of a period of time has passed without it, CLEARLY something is wrong... amongst ridiculously demanding listeners such as You and I. This time around, however, we're going to have a far more positive and even magnified discussion because I think that the actual PLATFORM calls for it. Reggae/Dancehall is one thing. There isn't a schedule really and if there is one it's set by people who have the ability to set it and delay it as much as they want (you can delay the release of anything and you can cancel a performance - happens allllll the time and it isn't the biggest deal). In Soca though, ass insane as it is to say, things're a bit more rigid. Carnival comes when Carnival comes and, again, the biggest of names are presumed to arrive with the biggest of hits and IF THEY DON'T... it's kind of a wasted season which is awful as the wait shifts to next year. Sure, they'll have other songs that year but it won't be the same as it was for their own Carnival season and that'll be that. Furthermore, isn't there just SOMETHING about Soca (of course there is)??? The music is inherently BIG and DRAMATIC and it often has a competitive intent behind it. So, each and every year, as the tunes begin to roll out, you'll INSTANTLY see calls for 'Roadmarch winner' as soon as ArtistX releases what we assume is their big hope for that season; and sometimes those calls are correct! When they are correct -- at least in my opinion -- given that schedule that they're on and how incredibly easy it can be to trace it back many years later, Soca's stars have the ability to impact their listeners with as much DELICIOUS NOSTALGIA as any participants of any artform on the planet. When they do GREAT, you'll likely NEVER forget it. 

Let's take a look at someone who has been "doing great" for decades now, Machel Montano. While people like me are probably guilty of throwing around the word "LEGEND" far too casually, it fits super snug in Montano's case. He is a legitimate, undeniable legend of Soca and Caribbean music, in general. Still, though now slightly north of half a century of age, Montano is looked upon as being capable of delivering brilliance every season (even when he takes the season off, essentially, from making Soca and focuses on Calypso as he did a couple of years ago and managing to take home Calypso Monarch) and when he doesn't, he isn't seen as having passed his best or any such thing - he is not afforded that excuse (though I did try to place him in that category once upon a time.... never more). 

2025

...and it is apparent that he does not need it. Just last year, Montano would take home his ELEVENTH Road March title, tying him with the legendary Lord Kitchener for the most all time wins (he'll take the crown, alone, at some point) and that's not all of it. Because of the nature of Soca music -- being on that schedule -- albums can be quite simple (and well planned if done correctly). They can either be total compilations of multiple seasons or, as is the case here, they'll end up as a collection of the work a particular artist did for one season (with maybe a roadmix or an unreleased tune thrown in the flesh it out).Going back through his catalogue, Montano has charted several big projects to his name to say the least. On this blog, we have a long running series called 'Modern Classics', were we observe what I feel are truly spectacular albums that have released from the modern era and we reached installment #43 last year. The only Soca album that we've ever covered there was #29, "Flame On". There were also BEAUTIES such as "The Book Of Angels", "Machelements",  "Happiest Man Alive" and several others. Machel Montano belongs to a very select group of individuals in Soca music who actually release albums on an at least semi-consistent basis. Just last year he set out with "One Degree Hotter" which was well received (I didn't particularly like it but a lot of people enjoyed it a lot more than I did) and if you go back to 2016's "Monk Evolution", Montano has now had five albums - averaging an album every other year. Said fifth album, "Encore", now arrives and does so at yet another really BIG time for its creator. Virtually simultaneously, he's also set to release a documentary of his life (which I thought that I remembered from years ago but is, apparently, being billed as new) so, along with the typically atypical madness that a Carnival season presents, 2026 brings with a bit of an added light to, arguably, its brightest star. Fortunately he appears up for the challenge. Along with slimming down a bit, Montano has been in a FINE form, musically, from what I've heard and, because of that, when the news reached that he was releasing an album this year, I got really excited. At least so far (as is normally the case) album shelves have been quite thin coming from Soca. I'm expecting Destra to have something to say about that (maybe more like HOPING, given what she's been up to) but there hasn't been much movement at all so, once again, Montano is helping to carry at least a certain mantle for the genre... 

...and he is doing so damn near FLAWLESSLY. Soca music, in general, has been strong this year in my opinion. The aforementioned Destra has been burning it up as has the always dependable Bunji Garlin; as have the 'usual suspects' in Voice, Patrice Roberts, Michael Teja and a few others. Still, at least for me, it has been Montano and Destra leading the way. That is a fact that is crystal clear throughout the former's big new album, "Encore", which gets up and going with the GORGEOUS and smooth 'Compromise'. Produced by the increasingly crucial Tano, this tune has a couple of things going for it in regards to the album. First of all, like I said, it's outstanding. It's a beautiful and laidback type of vibes but it's also quite catchy and infectious on its own. Furthermore, if you set it as it is here, at the head of the album, it's very inviting and what I'm picturing is maybe someone who stumbles upon this album on some digital site and decides to listen to some clips; the first one they hear will be 'Compromise'. IT WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO HEAR MORE! It is a FINE choice for an album opener and one of the best tunes that "Encore" has to offer, altogether. Next in is a very cool reimagining of an old favourite from the great Travis World, 'Tempa Wine'. The all-conquering original reached over a decade and a half ago and featured Patrice Roberts and I was actually surprised to see it back this year but THANKFULLY the song pays homage to its brilliant predecessor. This time Montano fittingly taps the burgeoning Tempa (Tempa should be on 'Tempa Wine') to handle the accompanying vocals. Tempa's interesting for a variety of reasons (one of which being something unrelated to music that Google can tell you about if you're curious), not the least of which is her style which is more on the Dancehall side than Soca. While I do prefer the original (and always will), this remake definitely works and has a flame of its own and biggup Tempa for adding all kinds of different colours to the tune. Travis World also supplies the foundation for the downright glittering 'Dey-O'. Although entirely too short, what 'Dey-O' manages to do in its all too brief time with us is to GLUE itself to taste. It's a very hard sound to shake and it is IMMACULATE! You want to talk about Groovy Soca (with just a bite of Power) at its absolute finest in terms of how it is presented and you're talking about a track like 'Dey-O', without question. It's one of the best and probably THE most overlooked that Montano has pushed this season. Where the piece before it served up a "bite" of Power Soca, you get the full hundred on the song rounding out the first third of "Encore", the MAMMOTH 'Pull D Pin'. Coming through across the Monkey Business Riddim courtesy of the reigning King Bubba FM, 'Pull D Pin' provides enough carnage for the whole album but particularly near its head. Featuring big talents in Skinny Fabulous with Spice duo Lil Natty & Thunda, this one is CARNAGE. It's messy and sloppy but it's also kind of clever! I remember hearing its direction and being surprised that I couldn't recall someone using a kind of 'natural' grenading metaphor for Soca music. It works and it works PERFECTLY on a song like this which, despite its chaos, brings together big talents and puts them at their best alongside one another. 'Pull D Pin' is one of the best selections from anyone that I've heard this season and I think it speaks to the quality of "Encore" that there is AT LEAST one song carried here that I find better... maybe even two of them.

I mentioned Voice a little while back and he also joins in on the festivities of "Encore" along with Litleboy, from out of Dominica (who also features in production here, with Precision Productions and Montano, himself) who both help to beautify the in flight 'Bam Bam'. 'Bam Bam' is a song that really helps you figure out what's going on with this album if you're still trying to pinpoint exactly where it stands. 'Bam Bam' is FANTASTIC. It's also grimy and disheveled. It may've showered this morning but it most certainly DID NOT brush it's teeth and it didn't have dinner last night either. It's a used gift in a shiny package is what 'Bam Bam' is and you won't mind at all (after you're done with it, put it back in the package and send it to someone else)! Though it is clearly a modern vibed track, my ears something delightfully old school coming from 'Dancing In The Streets' which features Montano alongside the well talented (and GORGEOUS) Mela Caribe. I hear a few different styles in this one and maybe Calypso is one of them (AND THOSE DRUMS!). Regardless, there is something in this song that is so damn comfortable and familiar that it is difficult to ignore. Apart from that (along with that), it's just an excellent song as well. Caribe's vocals are top notch, especially for this type of sound and, again, the mix is so right. You hear so many different influences put into that pot, by chef/DJ Private Ryan, making for one VIBRANT piece of music.

"Feels like freedom

Sweet love

When we hear THE DRUM"

"Encore" also features the star power of one Nailah Blackman (who seems to becoming a bigger and bigger deal every time she makes a song) (and with good reason) who helps Machel Montano to 'Elevate' on a tune helmed by Private Ryan & Badjohn Republic. 'Elevate' is CANDY. It will make your ears feel good and it will also bring a smile to your face (I've tested it. I'm listening to it RIGHT NOW and I'm smiling). The peak of this one is as gorgeous as anything else that you'll find on the album and I want to use it to make a point about Blackman's style, in general. She has way, VERY SIMILAR to Montano's himself, of making these big, POWERFUL, pieces which are chaotic and frenetic but completely CLASSY (Destra does that as well). That doesn't work for everyone and "for everyone" CLASS isn't necessarily a good thing; but you have these songs and they're filling you with such a great emotion and an intensity - sometimes it's pretty difficult to stop and appreciate the musical ability that they require to be made. It isn't all 'jump and wave and misbehave' (not that there's anything wrong with that) or 'break something', there's a beauty in that madness and Nailah Blackman has it nailed! She's a damn specialist and it vibes so well alongside someone like Montano.... and pretty much anyone else. She's awesome. Of course, that isn't to say that there's anything wrong with BREAKING STUFF as evidenced by the next and BEST song on "Encore", the truly ridiculous 'Move Out D Way'.

"THE WHOLE WORLD MASH UP"

Travis World returns to production for the tune and he brings with him the up and coming Paris Coutain. Coutain (who ever-so-slightly resembles a young Nasio Fontaine) (biggup Nasio) is someone to keep an eye on (and biggup Machel for bringing in people like Paris Coutain, Tempa and Litleboy, shining, probably, the genre's biggest light on their considerable talents) (you might even be able to include Lil Natty & Thunda in that and, once upon a time, he did the same for Skinny as well) and if you are unfamiliar with his work, here is a fine time to become acquainted. 'Move Out D Way' is fucking nuts! It's dangerous. It's harmful. It does not promote safety or good behaviour and it is my kind of Soca music: That SWEET shot of adrenaline which the genre alone can deliver in such a way!

Trailing not very behind, AT ALL, is the actual song, 'Encore'. I hear this song what has begun to stick with me about it is the level of reverence Machel Montano has for Soca music and Carnival; as if he hadn't demonstrated that endlessly throughout the years. Helmed by ace producer XplicitMevon (filthy run that man has been on), 'Encore' is a living, breathing tribute to Carnival and Soca music and it is OUTSTANDING. Clearly thought to be his signature tune of the year, it does not disappoint and it COMPLETELY embodies what I mean when I say that we expect special things from special talents. On 'Encore', Machel dazzles from the preparation ["Frontpage is where legends belong but BACKSTAGE IS WHERE LEGENDS ARE BORN"] that goes into it (that he's been doing for years, straight through the final product that we get to see. 'Encore' IMMEDIATELY goes down as one of his finest efforts in recent years and I wouldn't be surprised if it nets him a consecutive Road March crown in a few days. "Encore", the album, also gives us a "Stage Mix" of 'Encore', done by Madness MUV, D Ninja and the very popular DJ Marcus Williams (whose work I routinely workout to). It's, essentially, a roadmix (I actually think it is the song's official roadmix) and the typical things that go into such mixes are present here as well, though it doesn't detour too much from the original during its initial stage before... becoming entirely more interesting during its second half. It is refashioning of a fantastic song and it's more than three minutes longer so there isn't a damn thing to complain about here. You also won't get much (or any at all, actually) fight out of me against 'Carnival Birthday', which taps frequent Montano collaborator, the legendary Super Blue. 'Carnival Birthday' is kind of cursory and very straightforward but I will give it its due credit: It is VERY FUN. I know what you're thinking.... they're all fun; and you're right. They are. But what this one, specifically, has going for it is that "cursoriness" that I mentioned. 'Carnival Birthday', literally, just sounds like Montano called up Super Blue to make a song for 2026 and... that's what they did. They weren't trying to win anything or change lives anywhere. They set out to make a very light, fun and intoxicating Soca song and that is exactly what they did. Finally is the albums definite changeup, 'No Wayyy' (because one Y simply could not do it justice). If you listen really closely (or even if you don't), you'll hear the Sleng Teng Riddim (of all things) playing in the midst of... a lot of other things. It's a SWEET tune, sopping with nostalgia (and a dash of oddness) and just an interesting track. It would have been even better had Montano employed more of an old school delivery but he does give it to us at the chorus and creativity, when done this well, is only to be rewarded. 

Overall... special things. Machel Montano does not walk to the head of the class on name value alone. It surely will help him to a degree (a degree that he has earned) but when he does get there, he has to deliver. "Encore" is a HUGE example of him delivering. The Soca head is beyond my recommendation, he/she already knows what's going on here but I will recommend the album as well to someone maybe thinking about getting into the genre. It is such a WELL DONE, complete piece of work that if you do have ears for the sound, I don't think you get very far into this one without getting hooked by something. We look to people such a Machel Montano to lead the way in defining the sound of a generation and maybe even a few generations following his because they show themselves capable of doing things EXACTLY like what is found on "Encore": The best Soca album I've heard in a long time. 

Rated: 4.85/5

Monk Music

2026

An Encore from Machel Montano

"They say you're only as good as yuh last performance

Road long but wi have endurance

Stamina mek wi last for weeks

NOW WI TURNING MAS TO A MASTERPIECE"

Bunji Garlin is Still A Road Man

....even after alllll these years.  

Signatures Vol. X: Skinny Fabulous

If you think about it, it's actually quite rare that you take your core group of absolute favourite artists (or favourite anything, actually) and add to them with a new member. It doesn't happen very often and it shouldn't so, when it does, it's kind of a big deal. When it comes to Soca music, my stalwarts include the likes of Destra Garcia, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons; and, unless I'm really forgetting someone (Patrice Roberts would also be in there but she was before him), the most recent addition to that group would be St. Vincent missile, Skinny Fabulous. Whatever form of the music works for you, over the course of the past fifteen years or so, Skinny has given you something to be happy about. HOWEVER, with that being said, he's also been one of the most consistent performers of Power Soca that the genre has... ever seen, producing some undeniable future classics of the TRAUMATIC variety. Today we take a look and honour the work of one of the maddest to ever do it and a personal favourite of mine: Signatures: Skinny Fabulous.

{Note: I intentionally didn't include 'Famalay' because it was on Bunji Garlin's Signatures}

{Note 2: I intentionally did not include 'Duracell' because I hate that damn song}

{Coming Soon: Pressure Busspipe, Destra & Randoms*}

1. 'Garn'

We bionic. Typically, I reserve the first slot on these things for the biggest hit and 'Garn' most certainly isn't that but it finds its place at the head because it has probably been my absolute favourite Soca song for nearly four years now (ridiculous how quick that time has gone). Wetty Beatz lent Skinny Fabulous their ridiculous One Piece Ah Riddim (Anime heads (of which I am not) should recognize that) and to them was returned a simply impossible to ignore tune in 'Garn'. Along with it being so catchy and infectious, whether you realize it or not, for what 'Garn' is, it is pretty strong lyrically as well and while I won't yet proclaim it my single favourite Skinny Fabulous song ever, it surely has a seat at the table. Quite possibly THE greatest workout song I have ever heard in my entire life. 

2. 'Come Home' featuring Nailah Blackman

I've been waiting. Lest you ever think that a certain level of CLASS and REFINEMENT is non-existent within the madness, there's a tune like this one. 'Come Home' featured the lovely vocals of Nailah Blackman who linked with Skinny Fabulous a POLISHED piece of chaos. There was melody and harmonies and all of that good stuff but there was also insanity. There were people bouncing off the walls and circus animals and big trucks without steering wheels. Unless I'm REALLY overlooking something, 'Come Home' is my choice as the best combination Skinny's ever done and another song which has a case to be made of being my favourite from him of all time. The song was a celebration of the full return of Carnival which was on 'hiatus' for a while but returned to us all in grand fashion.

3. 'Head Bad'

We not leaving. In what would be the first of five (or six) Soca Monarch victories, Skinny Fabulous would walk higher ground with the MAMMOTH shot that was 'Head Bad'. This is one of those songs that finds its footing and the core of its GREATNESS in the ridiculous, chaotic madness that is Power Soca but... you also hear a melody in there, don't you? You hear it in there somewhere and it is beautiful! It's also kinda overwhelming and COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS... but it's beautiful and you know it!

4. 'No Other Way'

Weapon of party destruction. I made a rule that I'm trying my best to adhere to: That I won't let these things go above fifteen tracks and after my final review for this one, I remembered that I had forgotten 'No Other Way'. I had to remove 'Mental Home' (WHICH I LOVE) but it had to go. 'No Other Way' was a damn onslaught. It was unrelenting and it was SPECIAL. There's a point in this song where Skinny's bombarding the riddim (the lovely Tribe Riddim from Precision) with the chorus and it's TOO MUCH. It just is... BUT WHO CARES! It had to be on this list. There simply is no other way. 

5. 'Godzilla'

Destroying everything. Along with Wetty Beatz and Stadic, Skinny Fabulous took the concept of "destroying the road" to new, LITERAL, levels by channeling the legendary King of The Monsters, Godzilla, almost a decade ago. I remember one of the first times I heard this tune thinking that.... well, I guess you can just make a damn Soca song out of virtually anything and I was right about that (he also has one which barely missed this list called 'John Wick', because why not). The song carrying the title, as you would expect/hope, is a monster. It's heavy, it's fiery, it's kind of lumbering and it musically presents the type of pandemonium one might expect from being in the presence of a.... giant, pissed off lizard... dinosaur thing.

6. 'BTW'

I'm behaving the worst. I'm behaving the worst. I'm behaving the worst. I guess by Skinny's standards, you could actually call 'BTW' a Groovy song and that's fine. You're also going to call it brilliant. Sounding more like something out of the catalogue of someone like Machel Montano, the tune was a gorgeous laidback (compared only to everything else you'll find here) masterpiece and, RIDICULOUSLY [!], over a decade later (how on earth is this song eleven years old??!), it has not lost a glint of its lustre. One of the best songs Skinny Fabulous has ever made. 

7. 'Flatten'

FLATTEN. FLATTEN. FLATTEN EVERYTHING! Random, decade+ old tune. Didn't make much of an impact if I recall correctly: Why the hell is it on this list? If you didn't play the video then that is a viable, reasonable question. If you did, then you are not asking it. Flatten everything, everywhere. Nothing and no one is safe; not me or you. 

8. 'Act Normal'

Love this feeling. I took a song that I really like (called 'Going Off') off this list in order to make room for 'Act Normal' because it just might be the single COOLEST song that Skinny has ever done. The Prince Pronto produced tune was (and still is) Groovy Soca BRILLIANCE. This style of music has a different type of appeal to it. It can hit you in a piece joy and just accentuate the hell out of it. As opposed other songs you'll find here which're going to concuss you, wait for you to get up (or not) and then do it again, 'Act Normal' made its impact with a feather and kinda got the same results.

9. 'Pieces'

Soooooooo long we've been waiting. 'Pieces' now holds some type of significance as it (prior to #2 on this list) was Skinny's reaction to the end of the pandemic and the return of Carnival. It's another of the type of songs that might not get the credit it fully deserves for being as clever as it was but I would implore you to REALLY listen to what's going on with this song and just how wonderfully put together it was. 

10. 'Soca Defenders'

Everything gonna crack. Clearly Skinny will take his inspiration from anywhere he can get it and as you can see from 'Godzilla' (he also has a song literally called 'John Wick'), movies are fertile ground for him. For the Xpert and Wetty Beatz licked 'Soca Defenders', he would Socafy Marvel's Avengers and do the actions films more than justice. 'Soca Defenders' is one this list because it offers you nary a place to sit down and catch your breath and it is done with such quality that it was impossible for me to ignore. He has DOZENS of similarly vibed pieces and, ostensibly, this one does nothing in its sound to set it apart from those but what you hear on this damn song probably represents one of the strongest and in most infectious choruses on the whole of this list.  

11. 'The General'

Bomb ah drop. 'The General' burned a big ass hole in taking St. Vincent Soca Monarch way back in 2013 and, surely, the memory of that has something to do with its being here but... listen to this thing (and if you have already, then go back and listen to it again). 'The General' is VILE! It is nasty, grimy Power Soca but it's also kinda pleasant, isn't it? Don't you hear a hint of sweetness within all of that chaos? Take that drop of whatever it was and combine it with a song which, inherently, promotes crowd interaction on a massive level and you have a tune seemingly constructed for a brilliant performance and on one night in July a dozen years ago, Skinny Fabulous delivered one for the ages with 'The General'.

12. 'Monster'

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'MMA MONSTA! 'Monster' was a song that almost didn't make this list. When I got to narrowing things down (and decided that I wouldn't go over fifteen) I took it out and put it back in several times before finally settling on it being here. What changed? Well, while I was fleshing this out, I wasn't actually listening to anything (besides 'Garn', of course) and when I got around to actually listening to the Homebase production, nostalgia sunk her claws into me. Now over a dozen years old, 'Monster' wasn't THE maddest song Skinny Fabulous has ever done, nor was it the sweetest but it was BEAUTIFUL blend of both flavours and though you will find a piece or two which does better at blending them than it does, that unforgettable bounce which helps to propel 'Monster' along also pushed it over the edge for me.

13. 'De Beast Lehgo'

DANGEROUS! 'De Beast Lehgo' is another STERLING example of Skinny doing what Skinny does best and finding some beauty within the madness. The tune, which would net him his second overall and consecutive Vincy Soca Monarch crown way back in 2009, also started his monstrous fascination (as shown in this list with 'Godzilla' and 'Monster') and remains amongst his very best. If you really tune in 'De Beast Lehgo' what you'll notice is that, at its absolute heights, it rivals just about any song he's ever done. The pinnacle of it is EASILY some of the best work Skinny Fabulous as shown which is why  would include it on the short list of not only his best but the BEST of his best. 

14. 'Scary'

EVERYTHING TEAR DOWN! Perhaps the hardest kick in the head that Skinny has ever delivered, the utterly RIDICULOUS 'Scary' from a decade and a half ago hasn't aged well in terms of popularity and is fairly obscure these days. Just because so many have overlooked it though, it hasn't diminished even slightly in my eyes and ears. 'Scary' is an action movie with no plot at all. It's two and half hours of just.... fights and... blowing shit up. It is violent. It is vicious. There is no point of it. It is just a pure adrenaline rush of music.

15. 'Fyah Anthem'

We have ignition. Compared to a great deal of the other songs here, you could well make the case that 'Fyah Anthem' registers as nearly obscure to a degree... but I don't give a damn. What it does share with many of his greatest work is that 'Fyah Anthem' was, essentially, Skinny Fabulous clunking us all right over the head. He punched us, we fell, concussed, and when we got up we asked him to do it again. There is a countdown here (which has pretty much nothing with Skinny) which is SO DAMN COOL that it likely has a lot to do with why this song is here. 'Fyah Anthem' was scalding, it left bruises and I'm not complaining. 

Destra & Happy People

Feeling down today?? Let the queen cheer you up!

"Monday could fall on Friday

[WI DOH CARE]

Wi goh bring out wi cooler in a hurricane

The things people cry about, we laughing

Cause when Soca hits, wi feel no pain

Wi don't want to hear about no problems everyday

All wi want to go is a fete when wi get pay

Lawd

They seh dung yah wi living nice, wi doh struggle

And what wi call HOME, you calling paradise"

Signatures Vol. VI: Bunji Garlin

It's Bunji Garlin. Soca Defender. Lyrical Genius. No intro. Let's go! 

{Next: Queen Omega & Cocoa Tea}

1. 'Differentology'

We ready. As is the norm on these features, we begin with what is likely Bunji Garlin's most recognizable tune to date, the now, ridiculously, over a dozen years old, 'Differentology'. This tune was all-conquering in its day and though I don't even think that I would rank it amongst the top five or so (maybe I would) of songs that you'll find on this list, it has a certain BRUTALLY infectious vibe to it which makes the attraction it garnered not the biggest surprise in the world. Produced by Keron Thompson, the song would also head what is, arguably [PROBABLY], Garlin's most well known album to date named after it and has aged particularly well, still being one of the genre's most popular records altogether.

2. 'Snake Oil'

In charge. Good luck to you getting the first entrant on this list, 'Snake Oil', out of your head anytime soon.... I've been working, unsuccessfully, for the better part of a couple of decades or so. 'Snake Oil' was seriously infectious and it's gone on to hold on to this delightful position within his catalogue. For those who've known it for any kind of time, it is revered not as this ALL TIME CLASSIC, but a sharpened and COOL song which, because of its kind of pulsing pace, is one of a kind from Garlin and an EXQUISITELY put together track.

3. 'Brave'

Fraid nuthin. Sometimes YOU must be the spark. That was the idea behind the explosive fifteen year old smash that was 'Brave'. It had a [VERY] specific core to Carnival and Soca but this one has big long legs. You could apply the sentiment behind 'Brave' to almost anything. It was about having courage and not being afraid to take a risk and not being afraid of failure and it was wrapped up in this high-powered package which remains some of Garlin's most impactful work ever in my opinion.

4. 'The Islands' featuring Patrice Roberts

EVERYDAY! I wish you all the luck in the world shaking this mess out of your head anytime soon (it's not going to happen for you. It just isn't). Prior to creating absolute carnage alongside Machel Montano and family (the single best tune of which was 'Rolling' and I dare you to disagree with me!) and striking gold with the CLASSIC 'Sugar Boy', Patrice Roberts would begin her push to prominence with this CANDY-like Mastamind produced tune alongside her Soca Daimyo cousin, Bunji Garlin (never used that word before, it was time to pull it out). 

5. 'Fiery'

BURNING, BURNING, BURNING! Back in 2008, Garlin would have a lot of fans 'in their feels ' (do people still say that?), when he dropped his big tune of the season, 'Fiery', in honour of fallen Calypsonian, Maestro. I have always had something of a "love hate" relationship with this tune because, although it was sensational (and it still is) what tends to stand out most vividly about it is Garlin would use it to BLATANTLY STEAL Soca Monarch from his own wife who would deliver one of the greatest performances anyone has ever laid eyes on with 'Get On', and still be denied by 'Fiery'! Yes. It still pisses me off on some level, but that doesn't take away from what 'Fiery' was. It was genius and, HOPEFULLY, somewhere Maestro was listening and he was appreciative.

6. 'No Super Hero'

High demand.

"Well I'm no super hero

I'm not demon

Di gyal dem have wi in high demand

Mi doh know if you agree man

Mi gyal named Fay-Ann Lyons 

So I am she man"

It was the ultra fun Soca Strings Riddim sitting behind Garlin's lyrically enthused 'No Super Hero' which headed his album by the name of "Global" from back in 2007. The tune, like several you'll find here, is a PRIME example of some supremely high level wordplay in the midst of absolute chaos. 'No Super Hero' was underrated genius and it was the type of song that you only come across in Soca. 

7. 'Yuh Mad Or Wah'

LAVA! Though, to be perfectly honest, its quality probably doesn't earn it its spot on its list, the PRESENCE and IMPACT of 'Yuh Mad Or Wah' DEFINITELY puts it on such a collection coming from me. The tune was a shot at the curator of lava ground, I Wayne, who had once referred to Soca as "devil music". To the surprise of absolutely no one, Bunji Garlin stood up for the genre and did it in a way which was both kind of brutal also very sensible. He spoke about all of the people that, FRANKLY, Soca music feeds. How it puts money into the pockets of people who might otherwise just not have it or not have it in a peaceful way and the large role it plays in Trinidad. Like I said, 'Yuh Mad Or Wah', from a strictly musical point of view, is no where near Garlin at his best, but when Soca required someone to stand up for it against a... very odd foe, it was Garlin who took up the mantle and dealt with it, as you'd expect him to.

8. 'Carnival Tabanca'

I have it. A rather hypnotic backing, courtesy of Sheriff, played a perfect dancemate with Garlin on 'Carnival Tabanca', which would prove to be a sizable hit for all involved. All the trucks have been packed up and the road has been cleared. Carnival is gone. What you're left with is a feeling similar to losing a good friend and although this friend will be back next year (whether or not you're still here remains to be seen), you still miss them. 'Carnival Tabanca', in a delightfully CHILLED way, perfectly covered that sentiment and, perhaps, has aged as well as any other tune you will find here. 

9. 'Famalay' featuring Machel Montano & Skinny Fabulous

Jumping up together. Along with being a legit hit which would not only net Bunji Garlin his first Road March victory ever AND see Skinny Fabulous secure a very rare Road March for a non Trini artist (and he'd only previously won once in his homeland, St. Vincent), 'Famalay' was still, in a very enthused genre such as Power Soca music, a MIGHTY kick in the ass. On top of that, it had substance of unity to go along with its jump and wave and has already gone down as some of the best work either three have ever done in all of their storied careers.

10. 'Follow Me'

Know me when you see me! 'Follow Me' is in the discussion for being my single favourite song by Garlin ever. It's one of the best songs that he's ever made and, though it isn't respected on that level and never has been, from the very first time I laid ears on this thing, I was hooked! There is something powerfully and aggressively GRIMEY about 'Follow Me'. It is Power Soca of a most intoxicating blend and one of THE greatest of its kind that I have ever heard. 

11. 'Carnival Contract'

Hard like nail. 

"ME AND CARNIVAL HAVE A CONTRACT

EVERY YEAR WE GO HARD LIKE NAIL

I ON THE ROAD WITH TRUCK BIGGA THAN HUMP-BACK WHALE"

The ridiculous KNOCK of the Banx & Ranx produced riddim named after it was a MASSIVE part of my interest in 'Carnival Contract', but still only half. Atop it, Bunji Garlin GLOWED (why isn't "glew" a word???) with an idea that he was CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED to Carnival, each and every year. WHAT! In 2024, Garlin would fulfill that obligation via one of the most hard to shake songs that he has ever done. 'Carnival Contract' was simply somewhere else. It was absolutely dazzling, it still is and, although Michael Teja would have other ideas imprinted on his DNA (biggup Michael Teja), for me 'Carnival Contract' was the runaway winner for the 2024 season.

12. 'King's Arrival'

I am viking. Quite possibly THE SINGLE COOLEST song that Bunji Garlin has ever done, the woefully under-remembered 'King's Arrival' from J-Vibe was both a lyrical and musical masterpiece on a very THICK vibe. It pillaged and plundered and looted its way into my favourites and did so in a way that, though I wholly doubt you'd see it present on many other lists like such, 'King's Arrival' was one of the very first tunes I had in mind when I began putting this thing together. It was spotless.

13. 'Hard Fete'

On a hill. I have been listening to this song, pretty much nonstop, for over two years. That is the biggest compliment that I can possibly pay to 'Hard Fete' which would net Garlin his first (and to date, only) solo Road March title in 2023. Though the competition is fierce, I would probably call it my absolute favourite tune that he has done, ever. 'Hard Fete' is an intoxicant.  It is a drug. It is an addictive substance and all that good stuff. With a HARSHNESS and.... downright ABUSIVE vibe to it, 'Hard Fete' does not care about your feelings. You can hate it. You can love it. That is unimportant to 'Hard Fete'. It will treat you rudely and you will not do a damn thing about it. 

14. 'Clear De Road'

IT BLOCKED. Finally, we end things on the road, drenched in sweat and rain, courtesy of the chaotic 'Clear De Road'. I had this tune and another ('Hold A Burn') in my mind and, intentionally, wanted to force myself to choose between the two. I landed on 'Clear De Road' because there is something entirely UNCOMFORTABLE about it and I mean that in a good way. You cannot sit still while listening to this tune. It is, fittingly, disturbing and aggravating and it would have made for a PERFECT Road March tune had Mrs. Garlin not met his father-in-law that same season.