Machel Montano – Like a Boss
Since last week’s reggae, dancehall and soca playlist, the monster party that is Trinidad carnival has come and gone. Those suffering from carnival tabanca are most likely drowning their sorrows in soca – after all, a whole carnival season has just started throughout the Caribbean. But Trinidad and Tobago’s soca monarch competitions have identified a soundtrack for the other international carnivals throughout the year. One potential anthem from it is by Machel Montano, who isn’t feteing like a boss – he is the boss. This year he took yet another monarch title, for the groovy power-soca tune Like a Boss.
Destra Garcia and Machel Montano – Come Back
In 2003, Garcia and Montano produced the now-classic track It’s Carnival, which is still played at soca parties. Destra, who’s proclaimed herself Queen of Bacchanal, has reunited with Montano. The pair have clashed in the past, but here they celebrate each other’s talent alongside the soca massive – the revellers who are so important to the genre.
Granny – Go Granny
Go Granny is proof that soca is not only for everyone, but also has a sense of humour. This video by Trinidadian comic Nikki Crosby – with a grey wig and nagging attitude – was in the running for power soca monarch title. Granny didn’t place, but her performance shows how soca has plenty of room for the delightfully ridiculous.
Face T - True Love
In advance of a new album from Montreal’s Face T, here is a horn-heavy track produced by Glasgow’s Mungo. Face T rides a riddim based on a rocksteady foundation, but his melodic singjay stylings give it a 90s dancehall feel. It’s been far too long since Face T unleashed new music, but this track bodes well for the full EP, which will feature work with producers including fellow Quebecer Poirier and Poland’s Dreadsquad.
Protoje – Answer to Your Name
Protoje is also taking a throwback turn. The catchy Answer to Your Name that demands skanking, is the third single on the forthcoming album Ancient Future. Fittingly for one of the so-called Reggae Revival vanguard, Protoje is reaching back to the past in sound and lyrics – he sings about a gyal in Brixton in 1971 – while producing a new sound.
