This month’s listening picks from the Caribbean — featuring Nigel Campbell’s review of new music from Nessa Preppy. jimmy october. Sabrina Francis. and tedison john
nessa preppy
Little Miss Arima (self-released)
Nessa Preppy, a chameleon among soca’s leading ladies, has announced a new album encompassing new music, with enough songs to extend the album’s currency beyond one cycle of Trinidad Carnival. Masu. The 14 songs range from soca to island pop, fused with dancehall, chilled Afrobeats and the latest versions of Trini Zeth music. The album concludes with two songs that have the potential to be hits outside the mass market (“Or You Don’t”, an ultimatum to a lover, and “Blessings”, a confident self-affirmation), and one season. It suggests that following the crowd in a song is not a good idea. It’s on her radar. Her airy, child-like vocals are paralleled by lyrics that speak of carnality, offering a proud woman’s perspective on behavior and body image in and out of carnival. Well-crafted collaborations with local stars from various genres on the island, such as M1, Lady Lava, Jahllano, V’ghn, Freetown and Yung Bredda, demonstrate the breadth of their influence. We bring the atmosphere of the island to the ears of people all over the world.
jimmy october
With love from October (unspeakable record)
A few years ago, Jimmy October defined his work as a “new calypso”, exploring the still nascent potential of Trinidad’s original music and a new way of living that is familiar here and appealing there. Defined as something to be admired. On his new EP, this continued practice of songcraft has resulted in 23 minutes of Caribbean music with an ambition to break down barriers to international success. Two Trinidadian producers, Brooklyn Decent and Tano, recognize that the contemporary pop world is moving towards “ethnic” percussion and tropical loops that don’t “challenge” listeners and dancers. Led the EP. The clever lyrics define desire but are not vulgar, instead expressing gratitude for our island. double meaning. The final song on the EP, “Romance,” has a Latin American vibe, both with lyrics about a hopeful relationship with a beautiful Spanish-speaking woman, and with guitars that imitate Carlos Santana on electric and acoustic guitars. hinting. ¡Migasta!
sabrina francis
Limbo (self-released) • single
There seems to be a new trend of female singers giving ultimatums to their lovers but not taking the extra step of calling it off once and for all. Grenada songbird Sabrina Francis sings: I’m in a bind, should I go with you or stay with you? / Tell me what you find, because my heart is torn in two / I I’m at a loss and don’t know what to do. What are the chances that a man will fall in love? This question appears to be a dilemma that resonates with audiences around the world. The following warning (If you don’t say anything, just watch me go.) It may seem like a final solution, but the song is a cautious affirmation. “Don’t take it for granted.” “Limbo” speaks to the young and old, the naive and the experienced, with lyrics that tell the universal story that a second chance is better than none, permeated by a wicked, slow, tropical groove. The message — the message that there is always a way back. houseand “You Know Where to Find Me” – can be played forever. Island love lives in hope.
tedison john
Thank Me Later (self-released) • single
Soca music has common musical riddim and lyrical templates, which usually serve a purpose (on the road, at parties, and during carnival celebrations, many dances). But sometimes, an artist or a song stands out. It is a rare outlier, born in the maelstrom of Trinidad’s carnival rhythms and which continues to live on far beyond any singular season of the year or isolated moment. Saint Lucia’s soca ambassador, Tedison John, here turns another long-running hit single into a smooth jazzy cover (after Carnival), giving him a second life, and almost a second career. He produced a single that gave him a. Its lyrics speak to situations beyond the festival niche, making the song work in many performance settings. Breaking away from the mundane melody, the iron band rhythm, unique steel pan solo, and harmonies using three or more chords make this song shine in all seasons. Yes, you’ll thank him later.
