Keeping up the high quality control like its sister series, Reggae Gold, VP's annual soca overview remains vital on this 2014 edition, and maybe even a bit cocky this time out, as the
Bunji Garlin cut included isn't the usual over the top fire from the soca superstar, but a slow roller. No worries, as the uplift and uptempo hit hard with
Farmer Nappy's "Big People Party" ("I want a big people party/All liquor up inside me"), and when
Skinny Fabulous' "BTW (Behaving the Worst)" hits with the same spirit ("Everybody jump up and show me your worst behavior") plus an EDM-influenced backbeat, it's already time to restock the rum. Sass challenges
Bunji's reign with two wicked cuts included ("Bad Influence" suggests she's the
Joan Jett or
Lady Saw of soca, and "Shake Dat" is a club cut
Pitbull,
Diplo, and
Deadmau5 could all agree on), while
Tallpree sound like little else in Trinidad and Tobago as they filter the ultra-fast, old-school style through modern technology. No trip to Carnival should be without. ~ David Jeffries