In the regular order of things, February is carnival season, a festive time for Caribbean people to get on bad. As we navigate online events and social distancing this year, these mixes have us reminiscing on times not so long ago when we partied in the street and danced with strangers. Full of soca flavor, this week’s Mixtape Mondays will have you feeling ready for the road, wherever it takes you.
DJ Odyssey –Shell Down Volume 19
This one colder than a New York winter! DJ Odyssey‘s Shell Down Volume 19 opens with uptempo soundbites from Prince Swanny’s “Real Mad Dawgs” and Rotimi featuring Wale’s “In My Bed,” and heads into one hour and 41 minutes of soca and dancehall shellings. Known for his rapid production of custom mixes, DJ Odyssey has kept the lockdown party going with his Shell Down mixes and his other series Soca Matters. Now in its 19th volume, Shell Down takes us on a multi-genre journey with songs such as Ding Dong’s “We a Lead,” Lead Pipe’s “Make Dem Know,” Kylie Minogue’s “Magic,” Coldplay’s “Orphans,” and more well-rounded fire. If you want to feel like you’re at a global party — somewhere exotic, with a rum runner — stream Shell Down Volume 19 here:
DJ Kayla G – Force Play Series: The Opening Ceremony (2021 Mixtape)
Another quarantine life giver. Kayla G gives us multi-genre, high-energy greatness with several original remixes, in her new Force Play Series. A great way to keep things fresh in the New Year, The Opening Ceremony is full of pure vibes. In signature Kayla G style, the mix features original remixes of The Gap Band’s “Outstanding” and Vybz Kartel’s “Love You Enuh,” and 2021 sounds like Stefflon Don’s “Move,” Skillibeng’s “Crocodile Teeth” and Squash’s “Still a Roam,” along with big recent riddims such as Liquid Sunshine and Tender Touch. Fulljoy the vibes with The Opening Ceremony here:
No carnival? No problem. Carnival lives on within us. As the intro to Soca Starter 2021 says, carnival is forever. DJ Private Ryan, arguably the leading tastemaker in the soca realm — and no stranger to Mixtape Mondays — gives us a reason to get off the couch and keep it moving. If you’re looking for movement, this one is it! The mix starts with Private Ryan and Adam O’s “Far Away,” and continues with 2021 soca jams like Machel Montano’s “Private Party,” Swappi’s “Properly” and Voice’s “Woman.” Get the party started and keep it going with Soca Starter 2021 here:
