Let’s see, things of interest: I traveled to Puerto Rico while most of the music industry world was in Texas last week. Meanwhile Ghetto Palms guest selectors Jillionaire and Walshy Fire are gearing up for an event called Chicken + Beer at WMC. Cuba put on it’s game-face for the new style of cyberwar, Drake jumped on stage with Mavado for Spring Break and the Jahdan/Sabali track I debuted here in December (and then re-debuted last week in soca form) is now available as a free download. Also Natalie Storm is about to release a new single (goes to iTunes in 2 weeks, more or less) and TJ Records, the architect of the Unfinished Business riddim, dropped a new one. Which brings us to the blend:
Download: Ghetto Palms 134, Bottle Blend
Natalie Storm, “Hotta” (Ward 21)
Beenie Man f. Ms Thing, “Dude” (Murlo Riddim refix)
Lolita f. Beenie Man “Wine You Body” (Bottle Party riddim/TJ Records)
Khago, “Blood A Boil” (Bottle Party riddim/TJ Records)
Popcaan, “Hear Dem A Talk” (Bottle Party riddim/TJ Records)
Vybz Kartel, “More Than Neo” (Bottle Party riddim/TJ Records)
Demarco, “Hear My Cry” (Bottle Party riddim/TJ Records)
Elephant Man, “Start Wine” (Bottle Party riddim/TJ Records)
Speaking of Jillionaire, he and I did a little rundown on Trinidad carnival for the Guardian, if you’re interested. And speaking of things I made but never had time to tell anybody about, I recently interviewed reigning bhangra champ Malkit Singh and contributed to a scholarly journal called Small Axe (I'm in the same issue as Edwige Danticat!) with a paper on the way the web and digital technology are changing the economics of dancehall music—and what it means for the rest of the world. Now I think we’re caught up! Shout you when I’m back from PR.
