Soca music is influencing the direction of West Indian carnivals, leading to the erasure of some truly exceptional songs. Recently, we began to 'bring back' to our readers some of the old music. There's something special about capturing that nostalgic DJ vibe with a classic Soca tune. We found one of those songs, a dancehall soca song,  and today, we feature one very famous Vincentian singer, Alston Becket. Becket is a wonderful singer, and, to be honest, the Caribbean has not seen another talent like this. Today we pick one song that we recently heard played by Mr. Desmond on WACK Visual Radio: "Since Ah Small."

"Since Ah Small" is a genre-bridging song known as "Dancehall Soca," not Calypso or Soca. When you listen to the  song it is easy to understand why it was labeled "Dancehall Soca." Dancehall Soca was still evolving in the late '80s, blending Jamaican Dancehall vibes with the undeniable energy of Soca. Becket, always an innovator, embraced this fusion effortlessly in "Since Ah Small." His delivery—playful yet commanding—captures the spirit of storytelling that makes Caribbean music so rich.

"Since Ah Small" was arranged by the legendary Frankie McIntosh and featured on the 1988 album Soca Dance Party. Both Becket and Frankie McIntosh are beloved Vincentians who created excellent music that crossed borders long before soca replaced calypso as the preferred music for Caribbean-style carnivals. 

Efforts to preserve and reintroduce songs like "Since Ah Small" go beyond nostalgia—they safeguard the legacy of artists like Becket, whose contributions deserve continued celebration. His work, alongside Frankie McIntosh, stands as a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of Caribbean music.

It is always a challenge to reintroduce songs like Becket's "Since Ah Small" to a generation that speaks Zess Soca, Dennery Segment and Bouyon. It's the "older heads" who demand the preservation and resurgence of these classic songs. Any generation will always appreciate excellent music, I assure you. The music of Frankie McIntosh and Becket is worth making the effort to bring to this generation of listeners. Today's music can be monotonous at times; listening to a song like "Since ah Small" can be invigorating and is a credit to  these talented sons of Saint Vincent. 

 

We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-SA/4.0/.

 

We have a compilation of songs recorded with Spice Mas as the main event. However, because this compilation brings with it a wave of Caribbean artists, we believe that it can become a Caribbean anthem that transcends borders. This compilation is the Sinners Riddim, which features a powerful lineup of artists including Yung Bredda, Sheldon Douglas, T.R. Shine, Mr. Legz x Shurwayne Winchester, and Peter Ram. As you can see, this album—also referred to as a Riddim—isn't just a local sensation; rather, it represents a cross-Caribbean movement of talented artists. 

Although the vibe is rooted in Jab Grenada, each artist contributes a unique flavor, making sure that regardless of where you are—whether in Grenada, Trinidad, Barbados, Saint Lucia, or elsewhere—the riddim feels like home. Carnival revelers across the Caribbean and beyond, which includes the diaspora, will crave the infectious melodies and lyrical brilliance of pure Caribbean carnival bliss. 

The beauty of this album (riddim) lies in its unique mix of Caribbean artistry, and while Grenada's Spice Mas serves as the launchpad, this album ensures that Saint Lucia, Barbados, and eventually all the Caribbean carnivals in North America experience this vibe. It matters not if you are chipping to the music in the Caribbean or North America; the feeling will be pure carnival joy. 

Every island of the Caribbean has a unique Soca feel. Trinidad, known for its abundance of Groove Soca, was wonderful; now we also have the Jab style, Vincy Ragga style, Saint Lucia's Dennery Segment, traditional Soca, Barbados's unique Bajan style with Spouge influences, and Dominica's Bouyon. The Sinners Riddim is here, and 2025 is one for the books. Elevate the intensity and ignite the excitement of Carnival! You can find something suitable for every island and simply press play to immerse yourself in the atmosphere. 

 

We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-SA/4.0/.

 

Most times, during the "Dotish Hour" on WACK Visual Radio, Kenny and Mr. Desmond discuss topics that lead to posts on Sokah2Soca. I’m proud to say that these cultural ambassadors are my best source for Trinidad and Tobago music and culture. Amid all that nonsense and laughter, I always find something intriguing that sends me looking for information on the topic discussed. During the Sunday show, they had a discussion relating to the remastering of classic calypso and steelband music from the nineties. The discussion referenced Alvin Daniel’s YouTube listings. I searched his YouTube page and found a Kes Calypso from 2014, a song I will post independently. However, it is part of an album titled "Men of Steel," which is the subject of this post. 

You can purchase pristine copies of the album's calypsos on Amazon Music. I will provide the link below to access the Amazon portal. Having said that, today we present the album for your listening pleasure via the YouTube player. Enjoy the music and note that we will be posting the Kes song as a stand-alone post. Why, Kes? Simply put, everyone, at least the younger generation, knows Kes, the sweet-voiced Soca singer. Our goal is to amplify the fact that he does sing Calypso (not to mention that Soca is a form of Calypso).

As you peruse the list of songs and decide which ones you want to listen to first, be sure to set aside some time and have a drink ready as you enjoy some sweet Calypso music. We are not just a soca music site and we will deliver calypso gems along with lost or rarely seen steelband performances. So stick with Sokah2Soca because, just like WACK Visual Radio, we too are "Kulture Krazy!"

Artists/Songs on the Album

 

We have a surprise for you on this special day dedicated to all dads: we have decided to rewrite the musical script specifically for all the papas. We haven't lost our sanity simply because we are making an effort to deliver a mixtape filled with classic funk. Yes, this year, Andrew Bruce of Splendid Sounds, along with  Sokah2Soca have teamed up to bring you this look back at a time when the world was so different. 

DJ Splendid Sounds, we cooked up a sonic time capsule called Return of the Fun—a mixtape that pulls straight from the soul of our childhood living rooms, back when American soul, funk, R&B, and disco echoed through Caribbean homes.

Many will remember these songs with fond memories of growing up in the Caribbean and attending parties and dancing the night away... the wonderful old days! This one’s not about charts or trends. It’s a heartfelt nod to the sounds that raised us, the records our dads played on Sunday afternoons, and the tracks we memorized before we knew the lyrics made sense. This collection, which includes James Brown's "Big Payback" and numerous other beloved songs, is brimming with fond memories and infused with affection.

For all the old heads, vinyl collectors, and back-in-my-day storytellers, soak in the vibes; you’ve earned this—this one’s for you. Press play, rewind, and relive the joyous moments once more.

 

We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-SA/4.0/.