YCG Spin Zone: DJ Jel’s Top Soca Picks (so far)
With Christmas now over, the countdown to Carnival 2024 continues in earnest and considering the shortness of the season, there is no time to waste.
The artistes have been coming in hot and heavy with a steady stream of edge-snatching releases that we already know are guaranteed to cause the best kind of trouble from December 30th (when we head to the first fete to kick off this bumper season) onward.
While our list of favs keeps evolving everyday, we wanted to hear from the DJs tasked with keeping the vibe alive on the airwaves and at the fetes this season.
In this the first instalment of YCG Soca Spin Zone, internationally renowned DJ Jel shares his top picks of the season so far.
BEST GROOVY RELEASES (so far)
The San Juan youth man tells a story that every Trinbagonian could relate to. You’re home in your house and a friend invites you to a lime, and for whatever reason you end up staying for the entire night. The lyrics tell a story, “just show yuh face,”, “take one drink,” all of a sudden you are drunk in the people place jamming. When it comes to liming, it’s never one drink, we tend to overdo it and Voice gets it right in this groovy hit.
A sweet type of soca that is perfect to get a slow wine to. It’s the perfect reset song to enjoy after a night of pace. Those who have ever made a Tack Back, can relate to the story in Kes’ latest single.
If you’re a fan of live instruments and brass then Olatunji’s “Inventor” will speak to you. What is certainly a pan song, and a strong follow up to “Engine Room,” has the right levels of sweetness for fetes this carnival season. It will be a real treat to hear this one played live on pan.
BEST POWER RELEASES (so far)
According to DJ Jel, there’s a very limited batch to choose from as it’s late December, but in terms of what is out so far, these are the ones he identified…
1. Entering Greenzland- Bunji Garlin
The riddim invokes a spirit that I know will be a hit for J’ouvert morning. This infectious riddim from Grenada tells the story of jab and for that will be a big hit in the Carnival season.
2. Best Self – Lyrikal & Nailah Blackman
A very strong follow up from “Come Home,” Nailah & Lyrikal’s new collaboration tugs on the heart strings of masqueraders. I predict this will be a strong contender for the road.
A very emotional song that not only opens up a huge vulnerability for Patrice Roberts, but also expresses the way soca lovers feel about soca music. Anxiety pushing the boundaries of what power soca could be beyond jump and wave lyrical content that we are accustomed to.
GYAL ANTHEMS (so far)
1. In The Center- GBM Nutron & Farmer Nappy
This soca single samples the 1987 single, “Fix It Up” from Carl Jacobs. I have no doubt in my mind that this will do well on the road for carnival.
With Machel Montano’s absence from Trinidad Carnival 2024, Kerwin Du Bois is one of the artists’ who took the mantle and has been consistent in releasing music in terms of volume. This unique production from Kerwin is sure to be a hit.
3. Spirit Waist- Private Ryan, Mela Caribe & Olatunji
Not your typical wine and grind song. This soca fusion focuses on the mesmerizing movement of a woman when the spirit of soca music takes over. Omitting words like bumpa, wine and jook like typical gyal anthems and for that creativity I think it has the potential to go very far for 2024.
FEEL GOOD SOCA SONGS (so far)
I predict that this will be a huge creeper for the carnival season. For those who tend to be in every single fete and are intent on not missing any fetes for the season go right down til they lie down will appreciate this one.
2. Endless Vibration- Nailah & Marge Blackman
As descendants of soca royalty (Lord Shorty), both Nailah and Marge Blackman tapped into the real SOUL of soca music. Their collaboration is a very spiritual one and is along the lines of what Shorty was advocating soca music to be, music that is family friendly and could be enjoyed at various functions outside of carnival.
Masqueraders and carnival junkies who love to drink will relate to Problem Child’s “Rum Sweet.” Featured on the Jumbie Horn Riddim, along with other local artists, Problem Child perfectly describes the love we have for rum.
SONGS THAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME (so far)
This is a patriotic anthem that anyone in the Caribbean could relate to. There is no place like home and the lyrics reflect that. The melodies already caught the attention of a few pan bands and I foresee this single being a classic for years to come.
A song that I think many foreigners will connect to. As an ode to Explainer’s “Lorraine,” Mical Teja conveys how many Trinbagonian expats and foreigners feel around this time of the year. It’s cold, and they are missing the carnival season in Trinidad. Given the concept of the song along with Teja’s creativity, I foresee this also being a classic in soca history.
Be sure to follow DJ Jel for his infectious, energy inducing mixes and to see where he’ll be this Carnival season.
Stay tuned to see which of your favourite DJs we’ll be featuring next!
