where's d'scene? rolling soca, chutney, jab & other caribbean pop

I'm leaving the year off because Carnival season doesn't follow the regular calendar anyway and the last couple threads didn't quite justify dedicated annual threads--hopefully this one will get massively unwieldy and I'll regret it. Also making the thread remit open to basically any Caribbean pop music that isn't already covered in the dancehall and reggaeton&c. threads, though the emphasis will still likely be on Trinidadian music.

Kes's ode to Queen's Park Savannah, "Savannah Grass," seems like a great place to start:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXXq4RBKhtc

Also enjoying the Tingin' riddim this afternoon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eazfwcqabpo

I desperately need a pre-season mix though, if anyone has any recs.

(repost) Just for the pleasure of having Bunji Garlin with spanish-style guitar again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzPJNUe5mkA

That's really nice, it has a Carnival Tabanca vibe to it.

Yeah, nice one. For the uninitiated (=me): who is the original “Carnival Tabanca” by? I see lots of songs (cover versions?) with that title.

Bunji, i think?

"Tabanca" as a concept is used a lot though - it's basically longing for something that has passed so in this context generally means post-carnival comedown.

yeah I meant the Bunji tune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiYTfkvdtNg

one of my favorites

Soca Monarch semi-finalists are out btw:

http://www.looptt.com/content/soca-monarch-semi-finalists-named

I haven't gone through them properly yet (though in true Trini style, i haven't gotten around to listening to my Carnival 2018 compilation CDs yet, so it may be a while).

wow I don't think I know *any* of the Power finalists

I do know most of these finalists but it’s great to have the songs listed like this. Thanks!

Dumpa Truck goes HARD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqe3PYxmq8s

I think longneck might have posted this on the previous thread, but man I love Bunji's See Meh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLFnIPxjH-A

On Badang he's meta:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lciBiSpQvQ4

^Olatunji and Machel are also great on that if you missed it earlier like I did

Speaking of Bunji Garlin, I really enjoyed this - as well, of course, as everything I've found lurking here for the last decade or so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeGRongJI8k

that bangs! underpopulated rolling genre threads are a great way to de-lurk imo, just saying

haha, true dat

can't remember if I posted this on last year's thread, but I like this very much.

Juby - Look She Dey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXKo0qEBU0M

What can you lot tell me about Zouk and French-Antillian / French-Caribbean music? Is it still a thing? I remember Kassav' and Zouk Machine being on TV in France a lot as a kid

Ha I ate pancakes at Riley's in December! Great tune too.

Sadly I know rien about French-Caribbean music. fwiw, I think the stray tracks that have crossed my radar were all basically dancehall. LargeUp was never perfect but it definitely sucks there's no good source for general Caribbean music now

This power soca tag team development is worth noting:

Skinny, Machel, and Bunji / "Famalay"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD4lqYEwmiI

Erphaan, Nailah, and Sekon / "Brave"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwXoxYOqb9Y

The Juby is great. Loving the brass and the breakdown at the end. In heavy rotation now.

Some fresh jab from Slatta (or “Slätta”, as Spotify likes to call him, as a result of interference with a Danish band of that name). I had a wild musical fling with him last year, and he’s back!

Slatta • Unbothered:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmn5pPqY1ik

(this one makes me so so giddy)

Merzy ft. Slatta • Doh Fraid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-_Nu6ntsRc

(the instrumental track of this one is absolutely bonkers!)

The Cigar Puff Riddim has Slatta, but also this: Big Red • Typa Way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOHFSg-ApQU

As it happens, these are all produced by Xpert Productions, who also did Bunji’s “Wet” upthread.

In case it wasn’t abundantly clear yet: Jab is by far my favorite kind of soca.

Question: I say “jab”, because that’s how people call it here (I think), or is “jab jab” the (only) correct name for this genre?

I say Jab but I'm by no means an authority. think 'Jab jab' means devil which is the root term

Either is fine.

That’s settled then, cheers!

The Toco Loco Riddim (posted at the tail end of the previous thread) is a great way to start the day. Make the shower your carnival!

Jab MADNESS

'Pick up something - Run wid it!'

https://www.facebook.com/MrKilla/videos/2171317776455741/

This is Mr Killa - Run Wid It. I think it's mandatory to pick up something when this comes on

http://www.looptt.com/content/more-criticism-mr-killa-over-soca-monarch-win

Sour grapes re Grenada’s Mr Killa?

I like Mr. Killa from Grenada’s “ Run Wild it.” His speedy ennuncation and the percussive rhythms. He’s gonna be in DC Sunday.

http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/238717/killa-slays-iwer-ism-crown-goes-grenada

Listening to David Rudder’s Catharsis album from a few years back. I like his lilting melodies, socio-political lyrics, and rhythms that aren’t quite as fast-tempoed as most soca hits

https://newsday.co.tt/2019/02/08/wheres-the-lyrical-artistry-in-soca/

Rudder, a singer/songwriter who won the Calypso Monarch and Road March titles in 1986, answered first.

Each generation reflects where we are in society, he said. Recalling that he had come up as a calypsonian in the tradition of Zandolie and Kitchener, the “Lyrics Man” said working with 2016-18 Soca Monarch Voice showed him that young writers see rhyme and lyrics differently from the older generation of calypsonians. He and Voice have a 2019 release called Madness....

...Calypso emerged from the songs of enslaved Africans in Trinidad and came of age in the poor, black, urban jamette culture of the early 20th century. Its anodyne lyrics often disguised subversive or vulgar double meanings.

There is no need to disguise such meanings any more, Rudder said. “It’s not by chance. It’s a very raw time.”

70-something Calypso Rose from T & T is performing in NYC tonight. Wish she’d come farther south to my locale

xp my Chutney-loving mate made the case for parallels between that style and country music. so many songs about break ups and alcohol abuse

Maybe so

From Martinique (and from 2016, but new to me, so yeah):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuFnsdjtCeU

M.O.B • KoKoLeCheL

This is from this year, slightly different title, completely different track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAgu-Bj-dtk

M.O.B • KoKéLécheL

(Spotify has them as by “Mob” and “M O B” respectively, but it’s the same guy)

https://www.okayafrica.com/how-afrobeats-global-rise-is-changing-carnival-rigid-genre-conventions-soca/

Interesting stuff. How come nobody ever told me about that Jamaican ”Mad Over You” rip?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUCTrcSGvsU
Ding Dong • Lebeh Lebeh

(sure, it belongs on the dancehall thread, but since everybody’s mashing things up anyway...)

Lebeh Lebeh is cute, but it's always bugged me that it cuts some of the best bits of "Mad over You" (which I adore)

breastcrawl, have you checked out the Walshy Fire album? I haven't gotten around to it yet myself but it's all stuff like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdCmVgPVT_Y

Mad Over You always reminds me of just how much I love music.

rob, I listened to the Walshy Fire album, several times in fact. I’m not too crazy about the Alkaline/Runtown track you posted, I like second single “Call Me” with Eazi and Kranium much better:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsUlpNgvgvs

The dancehall-leaning tracks don’t do too much for me (a bit stodgy and waaaay too much Ice Prince - they must be very good friends). The fun is in the lighter tracks, notably “Outside” (Adekunle Gold/Nailah Blackman) (is this afrosocapop?) and “Amazing” (Timeka Marshall/Stonebwoy) with its wonderful steel drum coda, my favourite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?dWy7lxVK30Y

“Amazing”, again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWy7lxVK30Y

Afro-Caribbean collaborations that are at least as interesting:

How about some “palm whine à la bamba”? https://youtu.be/QNb0WlPe73Y

Juls ft. Agent Sasco • Slow Down

And this reggaeton bombshell, produced by Legendury Beatz: https://youtu.be/HcwEyLhwL54

J Balvin & Bad Bunny ft. Mr Eazi • Como Un Bebé

Reposting this from the Rolling Dancehall & Reggae thread, where vcrash posted it yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6-tSYzqnXI
Bush Tea • Wiyah Waist

(She’s from the Virgin Islands)

has anybody had a chance to hear this soundway comp ?

Body Beat: Soca​-​Dub and Electronic Calypso (1979​-​98)

curious to hear a perspective from ilxors who have been keeping tabs on contemporary soca

sounds good on a quick spin. what would you call the high points on that collection?

yeah it's quite good. i mean, it's got very little to do with current soca sounds, but it's entertaining as a time-capsule in the way a lot of outernational music compilations can be. there's some nice crossover with funk and house music. well worth a spin

Not really listened enough times to pick faves.

Quite like D'Jab Jab Dance (Bad Lad Mix) which is the aforementioned housey tune

yeah, i haven't spent enough time with the comp to pick a favorite, nor do i feel qualified to point out the high points. that's why i posted here. you tell me !!

Fucking love that “D’Jab Jab Dance” track, but then it seems I’m genetically predisposed to like anything jab.

Case in point: two new (and very different) tracks from/with my to-go-to jab guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk6CVVyfYzo
Xpert Productions ft. Slatta • Wukking High

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcnpykSJ0Ac
Slatta • Bwa Neg Mawon

Miss Naija House Niniola crossing the Atlantic for some soca light:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pVa0GSCvzg
Niniola • Pocket

On the same Bittersweet Riddim:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9sbVvFHU7A
Nailah Blackman x Konshens • Slow Wine

Nailah's on a ton of collabs now. Love this one with Olatunji:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1upH9vnmR68

this is rad; one for the horrorcore soca fans:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMf-XgHpv88

(Blaxx, "Douen")

if you're into that, check this too: https://youtu.be/z140_ZhGhEQ

I was totally out of the soca scene in 2019 and feel like I need to catch up. What did I miss? And was there anything pollable outside of Run With It?

yes: Famalay, At Large, Trouble In The Morning being just three (I think they came out in 2019 or maybe late 2018)

Thanks! As long as they're Soca Season 2019 release dates are not a problem.

New thread, cos why not:

'We're Jamming Still!' - rolling Soca, Chutney, Dennery, Jab and the rest 2020

Why not— uh, read Rob’s intro to this one:

I'm leaving the year off because Carnival season doesn't follow the regular calendar anyway and the last couple threads didn't quite justify dedicated annual threads--

i'm interested in what's happening now. i detest history

but yeah, point taken. too late now

my approach didn't exactly stimulate posting so I have no objection to this!

reviving this thread for this superlative floaty track from Martinique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8UJl665mPM
70 SHIINE ft. Nacho • Domino

(courtesy of D-40 on the [cruel, cruel] Summer Jams thread)

you can’t stop the flow:

🀄️🀄️ Martinique to the world: 70 SHiiNE x Nacho • DOMINO 🀄️🀄️

https://www.nts.live/shows/death-is-not-the-end/episodes/death-is-not-the-end-9th-august-2020

Trini Calypso from the 1920s to 1940s .

https://nhcarnival.org/

Notting Hill Carnival August 29-31
Digital style

Don't often think of soca in a live band context, but Kes have released an excellent live album called 'We Home'. It's great to hear some absolute classics like 'Hello' and 'Savannah Grass' in this context

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djlSmc9RYXs

haha, I'm only now watching the video and didn't realise it was 'live in the studio' but that would make sense

Another French overseas department in the house - je kiffe trop!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsFckB9WXVw
Poplane ft. Momo Wang • Mo Lé

Poplane is from French Guiana, I see him referred to as “le Wizkid guyanais”. Appropriately enough, the video was shot in Africa (in Senegal, to be precise).

starting my Friday with this loveliness

bump for this fun track from Aruba that I just happened across:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvLB6ngRaPQ
Ataniro ft. Steve Andreas • Dios Para Den

Tekisha Abel bringing the Suriname slackness, leaving a nation in disarray:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC6CrT1rIjU
Tekisha • Lolo Bal

I like this older one as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU75s_HgGFo
Tekisha Abel • Krin

enjoying this! don't get to hear much from suriname. i guess it's more reggae than soca?

not lolo bal though. wow, i love this.

could have posted it on the dancehall thread ad well, but preferring to spice up this thread with the non-Jamaican goodness.

did you check out the Aruban banger I posted last month?

yeah, it's a banger!

t’is an Aruban banger!

added the most recent tracks posted here to this integrated Rolling Spotify playlist for all the Caribbean music threads (soca, dancehall, reggaeton/dembow/urbano, Martinique, other caribbopop). we’re 75 tracks in, feel free to follow:

ILM rolling Caribbean vibes 🥁🥁🥁

Thanks

new Tekisha Abel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaItVfBwHGI
Tekisha Abel • Né Krooi

https://newsday.co.tt/2021/07/14/brother-resistance-dies/

RIP Trinidad rapso pioneer Brother Resistance

I'd never heard of Brother Resistance before he died (I've never really attempted to fully grasp TT music). Grateful for this overview of BR/rapso by David Katz: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/21/rapso-discover-the-pride-and-power-of-trinidads-rap-soca-music

Now I'm listening to his debut and it's totally excellent: https://brotherresistance.bandcamp.com/album/rapso-take-over

The Kindred track in that Katz piece also sounded rad

RIP Brother Resistance

RIP Jacob Devarieux , guitarist from zouk band Kassav from Covid