Haunted by Bacchanal: When Carnival Fellings Refuse to Let Go
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
August 20, 2025
The content was first published on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
Legends Reimagined Series #3.
This post is part of our Classics Reimagined series. In previous entries, we explored the vibrant world of Calypso music, which was essential to the spirit of Carnival. If you can recall, it took time for Steelbands to evolve into Soca music, specifically music for Panorama. Today, we shift our focus back to Soca music. We have selected a song by the acclaimed master of Soca, Machel Montano. This post is our interpretation and revival of his classic song, "Haunted (This Haunted Feeling)."
When Machel Montano sings the line “haunted feelings,” he’s not expressing sorrow; instead, he evokes a sense of being possessed by joy, by music, and by the vibrant trance of Carnival itself. He’s not fleeing from ghosts. He’s moving alongside them—ghosts of feathers, rhythm, wine, and every sleepless sunrise that lies in "Haunted" (feelings). Kernal Roberts and Machel Montano tapped into a profound understanding shared by every true masquerader: the moment Carnival concludes, it begins to haunt you.
unt you. Just like Bunji Garlin's "Carnival Tabanca," this song travels on the same carnival spectrum of longing and wanting more.
This feeling isn’t post-party blues. It’s something more spiritual—almost mythic:
- Your skin still tingles from the road.
- Your ears ring with rhythm and musical riddims.
- Your soul refuses to return to nine-to-five reality.
Carnival isn’t just a festival. It’s a state of being. And it's not merely a festival; it represents a state of being. If you recall, in Bunji's song, he mentions a large truck filled with red sand (thinking of the big Music trucks), and similarly, the music truck is referenced in "Haunted." Long after the final truck has passed, its presence endures. The mind continues to replay every jump, whine, chant, and laugh, as if attempting to summon the spirits of joy from beyond. After the last truck rolls by, its presence lingers. The mind is replaying every jump, whine, chant, and laugh as if trying to conjure spirits of joy back from beyond.
That’s the haunted feeling Montano sings of: Not grief—but reverence. It's not a loss but an obsession. It’s possession by culture, by memory of party mode, and by masquerading bands. All those images, all those memories, resurface and overwhelm your senses, leaving you feeling faint and filled with a deep yearning for more of what has been lost, yet with memories that endure. live on.
On Sokah2Soca, we know this haunting well. It lives in our captions, dances in our hashtags, and peeks through every image watermark. We curate this ghost—not to exorcise it—but to keep it alive year-round. Every time you visit our pages, look at the captions, and read our posts, our goal is to help you find something to return to, something that brings a smile to your face, and something that connects you to the joy of Carnival. You may not realize it yet, but the truth is that we adore the sensation, the heart-wrenching moment when we realize it's over, and the memories that resurface to haunt us in delightful ways.
Like it or not, MM is correct; we want to be haunted. We want to be happy with good memories, Soca music, satire, and the spirit of unity in glitter and sweat. It’s the sweetest kind of possession there is, and we embody it with our Caribbean-styled carnivals. Let us spread awareness of the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music production. Thanks to your support, we are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy reaches a wider audience and fosters creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Haunted
Artist/Performed by: Machel Montano
Written by: Kernal Roberts & Machel Montano
Produced by: Johnmarc "Pasta" Gittens and Dreamteam Music TT
Additional Production by: Alex "Kubiyashi" Barnwell
Mixed by: Alex "Kubiyashi" Barnwell
Mastered by: Chris Gehringer @ Sterling Sound
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago ???
Year: 2014
Genre: Soca ?
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
? Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but also on a daily basis.
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/.
♫Please click the small triangle button in the music player below to listen now.
IslandVibe Radio Food Festival Recap – Pure Vibes from Start to Finish!
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
August 17, 2025
The content was first published on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
The island's Vybe Food Festival rocked Chalmers Park, and we have the ideal person to tell us about it all. Nikki G, the Voice, was there! This is her recap of the event:
IslandVibe Radio truly lived up to its name this past weekend—good food, great entertainment, and pure vibes all around!
Our DJs came ready to represent, proudly showcasing their countries’ roots through music while staying versatile and weaving in a mix of Caribbean genres. The sun was shining brightly all day, but our IslandVibe brimmed hats saved the day—and yes, I proudly rocked mine!
The artists brought top-tier performances, and the crowd was locked in. By the second and third acts, everyone was singing along, phones in hand, capturing the moment. If you snapped a pic or recorded a clip, don’t forget to tag @IslandVybes and our artists, DJs, and MCs so we can repost and show you some love.
Our on-site interviews were a highlight in themselves. Keep an eye out for the upcoming taped interview from Ras FM, Nikki G The Voice, on YouTube and IslandVibe.net featuring the ever-sweet Anika Berry and our talented young star Young Baje. You won't want to miss their insightful discussions about the soca industry, balancing family life, and their passion for music.
And of course, the food was on point (delicious)! I had the pleasure of sipping fruit punch with a satisfying little kick, grabbing an ice-cold Sack Packed drink, and savoring shrimp wontons with crispy fries. Every vendor was hustling, serving up plates to happy festival-goers.
The kids had a blast bouncing around in the castle, giving Nikki G a short break (but don’t worry—next year, we’ll be back with our fun games and prize giveaways!).
Stay tuned for event highlights on IslandVybe.net, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. And don’t miss the Table Talk Show with Nikki G, where we’ll be doing an artist recap you won’t want to miss.
Until next year—keep the vibes alive! ?? Yes, Nikki, we are keeping the vibe alive with music from the vivacious Anika Berry... It's Saddle up until next year!
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: IslandVybe Philly Radio Caribbean Food Expo
Origin: Palmers Park, Philadelphia, USA
It's a Foodie Event: Jorts and More
Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but also on a daily basis. Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music, and Soca Thrive!
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/.
♫Please click the small triangle button in the music player below to listen now.
"Pop Up Friday” by Sokah2Soca: Sweet Skankin’ from Jamaica
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
August 10, 2025
The content was first published on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
It is Friday and with the beautiful weather in NYC (some say it is too hot, but it makes me feel alive), I decided to do a "pop-up" song for our fans... something different! I know you will enjoy listening to this selection!
Today we’re taking a soulful detour to the lush rhythms of Jamaica with a track that’s pure sunshine: “Skankin’ Sweet” by Chronixx. This one’s a favorite of our site administrator, Santiwah—and for good reason. Chronixx's voice glides through the Blue Mountains with a smooth, uplifting, and vibrant quality.
Whether you’re winding down from the week or just need a moment to feel irie, this song is your invitation to groove, smile, and let the music melt your stress away. "Skankin' Sweet" reminds us to rise above life's pressures and embrace joy through its lyrics.
So turn it up, feel the vibes, and let your spirit dance. ????
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song: Skankin Sweet
Artist/Performed by: Chronixx
Album: Chronology
Release Date: 2017
Origin: Jamaica
Genre: Reggae
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
?Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
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/.
♫Please click the small triangle button in the music player below to listen now.
Soca’s Steelpan Origins: Are We Rewriting Panorama History?
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
August 10, 2025
The content was first published on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
Recently, we spotlighted “I’m Not Drunk” by KMC as the first Soca song performed by a steelband at Trinidad’s Panorama competition. But thanks to the vibrant discussions on the "Steelpan Trivia & More" Facebook group, that claim is now under review.
Kenrick Mc David suggested that “Soca Jean” by Lord Kitchener—arranged by Carl Henderson & Keith McBurney—was played by Carib Tokyo in 1991. While we continue to investigate this claim, another contender has emerged.
David Goddard pointed us to “Jump and Mash Up D Party,” sung by Anselm Douglas and performed by TCL Skiffle Bunch in the 1995 Panorama Finals, arranged by the legendary Ken “Professor” Philmore. We have the receipts for this claim!
So for now, 1995 stands as the earliest confirmed Soca entry into Panorama—unless we can verify Soca Jean for 1991.
Something intriguing came to light during this search. Kenny Phillips, who initially provided us with "I'm Not Drunk" by KMC, totally forgot about "Jump and Mash Up D Party," a song that he arranged! This indicates that even music producers need to improve their management of music catalogs.
This isn’t just trivia—it’s a celebration of Soca’s journey into the steelpan arena. If you have any receipts, memories, or old cassette tapes, please feel free to share them with us. The culture deserves clarity.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Jump and Mash Up D Party
Artist/Performed by: Anselm Douglas
Arranged by: Kenny Phillips
Year 1995
Steelband: TCL Skiffle Bunch
Arranged by: Ken "Professor" Philmore
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca ?
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
? Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
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/.
♫Please click the small triangle button in the music player below to listen now.
TCL Skiffle Bunch - Jump and Mash Up D Party
