Jammin Still: Listen To Our 2017 Trinidad Carnival Playlist on Apple Music

Words by Jesse Serwer, Kamara Williams and Tishanna Williams
Photo by Colin Williams

In just a few hours, a few hundred thousand revelers will take to the streets of Port of Spain and get to jamming, wining, pumping and jooking their way through Trinidad Carnival 2017. The celebration culminates a season full of competition, costume prep, fetes and, of course, new soca music, which has steadily streamed from T&T’s studios since the fall. With another International Soca Monach competition in the books and the last parties winding down, we’ve taken stock of the season’s top tunes. Get ready for the road with our “Jammin Still” playlist featuring this year’s best modern calypso jams, groovy soca and power anthems. Listen now on Apple Music.

Calypso Rose feat. Manu Chao and Machel Montano – Leave Me Alone (Remix)
Whatever the formula is for keeping current, Calypso Rose has it. The 76-year-old’s newest album Far From Home recently won World Album of the Year at France’s equivalent to the Grammys, and a remixed version of lead single “Leave Me Alone” featuring Machel Montano has become a big hit at home in Trinidad for Carnival 2017. The ladies especially are singing “Leave Me Alone” proudly for all the men who don’t observe our Rules of D Road: The Dos and Don’ts of Wining. It’s even spawned a slogan/movement/T shirt line locally, standing up against gender-based violence. — Tishanna Williams

Ultimate Rejects feat. MX Prime – Full Extreme (We Jammin Still)
MX Prime has been vibes since he started in the 90’s but this track is this year’s Trinidadian anthem. Every other song is just playing catch up. When you decide not to enter the Road March competition, and the people take to social media to protest until you have no choice, you know you have a hit. — Tishanna Williams

Machel Montano x Bunji Garlin – Buss Head
Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin flattened the country when they connected on “Buss Head,” putting aside years of perceived differences between Trinidad’s top soca stars. The song, which was co-written by Keegan Taylor (who we highlighted a few years ago in our article BOIS! Reviving Trinidad’s Stickfighting Traditions) takes inspiration from Trinidad’s ancient cultural fighting style, raising the spirit of the warrior in each listener. “Buss Head” definitely has the all-round seal of approval. – Tishanna Williams

Kes and Kernal Roberts – Shake
This year’s Trinidad soca has been all about a return to the roots, with the sounds of iron, brass bands and steelpan coloring many of the season’s top tunes. Kes and Kernal Roberts combine all of these elements in “Shake,” a modern calypso anthem with a vintage swing that recalls the Carnivals of yesteryear. — Jesse Serwer

Linky First – Rock and Come In
This track from Jamaica made its way into Trini Carnival parties in a major way. It’s got just the right amount of groovy soca and dancehall to satisfy fans of both. Did we mention it is on something called the ‘Liming Riddim’? How much more Trini can you get? – Tishanna Williams

Machel Montano – Fast Wine
You know Double M had to give us one for the ladies to close their eyes and roll their waist to. “Fast Wine” is a slow groove that the ladies love with little pockets of arrangement to make you bruk out. – Tishanna Williams

Machel Montano – Waves
Machel Montano, a man who knows how to navigate his way around different styles of soca music, brought a different vibe to Carnival with this release. The track produced by System32 has a vibe and ease that makes you feel freer than beach breeze —something we all crave during this season. It’s soothing, yet packed with an undeniable energy that belongs on every Carnival playlist. – Kamara Williams

Kes feat. Nailah Blackman – Workout
Nailah Blackman, the granddaughter of soca’s father Lord Shorty, makes magic with Kes on her own Carnival debut, grabbing our attention with her vocals on the track. This song is everywhere and, whether you into grooving or grinding low, you need a little “Workout.” — Tishanna Williams

Kes – Incredible
Kes has proven himself over and over again, but this year he took us to yet another level with “Incredible.” This track that undeniable Carnival euphoric quality that makes you forget about the world for as long as it plays. As a major contribution to 2017 soca, it’s going to be massive on the road come Carnival Monday and Tuesday. We can wait to jam and jam! – Kamara Williams

Destra – Closer
This season the Queen of Bacchanal showed us her softer side with the melodious tune Closer. The track all about spreading love and appreciating the people that are special to us, is like a calming soca lullaby you never want to stop singing. With the current events happening in the world, Closer stands as a good reminder of what is really important in life without being too serious. Written by Garcia and produced by Drew Thoven, this sweet tune is a great departure from the multitudes of upbeat songs synonymous with Carnival.  – Kamara Williams

GBM Nutron – Bacchanal
The old meets the new on songwriter-turned-artist GBM Nutron’s follow up to his breakout hit 2016 hit “Scene.” “Bacchanal” takes the structure of modern groovy soca and infuses it with classic steelpan and brass sounds, while lyrically touching on the state of male/female relations at Carnival, to form one one of the season’s most addictive tracks. – Jesse Serwer