Soca Parang for Christmas and Reggae at the Grammys
Coming to the end of 2
015, a lot has been going on in the Montreal Caribbean entertainment scene highlighted by my upcoming 9th annual Christmas show “ISLAND CHRISTMAS RIDDIMS” on CKUT 90.3fm on December 25 and the nomination of three Jamaican artists and one Ghanaian for the Best Reggae Album at the 58th Annual Grammy awards.
In Trinibago’s parlance we would say “Wey D Parang Gone?” That’s the topic I’ve been drilling into readers mind this year.
Parang is the popular seasonal music originating out of Trinidad and Tobago, brought there by Spanish-speaking settlers, that was merged with Soca music to create “Soca Parang.” Of late the music has been losing its place in Christmas celebration because of a new focus on Carnival, which comes a few months later.
However, I remain true to the music and will continue to promote it.
My favorite Soca Parang music include songs like Put Jesus In Your Christmas, Yvonne, A Piece Ah Pork, Parang Parang, Santa Looking For A Wife, That Eh Working Here Tonight, Hurrah Hurray, Anita, Twadicion Noel, Black Cake Lover, and the list goes on.
Tune in to CKUT 90.3FM on Christmas Day from noon to 6pm to hear these and other favorites.
The Grammys are known as music’s Biggest Night. It returns to Los Angeles’ Staples Center for the 58th annual night of awards presentation on Feb. 15, 2016.
The eligibility year for the 58th Grammy Awards is from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015. This year I personally saw and heard some quality reggae albums from both reggae and dancehall artists.
The top four picks for the 2015 reggae category naming Jah Cure’s The Cure, Barrington Levy’s Acousticalevy, Luciano’s Zion Awake, Morgan Heritage’s Strictly Roots, and Ghananian Rocky Dawuni’s Branches of The Same Tree.
This marks the first nomination for Jah Cure and a lot of reggae fans are expecting him to take home the trophy for his latest album, “The Cure” released in July of this year. This is also Barrington Levy’s first Grammy nomination and the second for Luciano. Last year’s Grammy award went to Ziggy Marley’s Fly Rasta album.
2015 Best Reggae Album Grammy nominees:
Branches Of The Same Tree
– Rocky Dawuni
The Cure – Jah Cure
Acousticalevy –
Barrington Levy
Zion Awake – Luciano
Strictly Roots
– Morgan Heritage
Production Sounds Soca Parang Chart
1. Kuchelala – Taxi
2. Trini Christmas – Susan Macio
3. Anita – Scrunter
4. Parang Parang – Singing Francine
5. Hurray Hurrah – Singing Francine
6. What is Christmas – Bunji Garlin
7. Vamos Vamos Vamos – Flores de San Jose
8. Alegria – Daisy Voisin.
9. Mr. Santa Claus – Rembunction
10.Bottle and Spoon – Leon Coldero
I would like to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Be free to send your feedback on any of my articles to
Productionsounds@gmail.com or Instagram : @Productionjr
