IslandMix - Soca, Reggae, Zouk and Caribbean Entertainment

Please list and include links if possible:

What albums from 2000 to present has a good mix of soca e.g. some groovy, some uptempo, creative, for carnival, not for carnival, political, social commentary....
Now, albums do not have to have all this but it must have songs for carnival and songs not meant for carnival.

What singers/bands albums are usually easily accessible? Via internet or other means of distribution?

What album's covers are quality e.g. front image, list credits well, contact info and website etc

What albums have anti piracy protection?

What albums are usually release in good timing?

Anything else about some albums that is positive or quality?

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I was about to give you list of top soca album with anti piracy.

With social commentry me have to think again

Because I work with him, this is just pure facts about him. The most visible artists online are Kevin Lyttle & Alison Hinds, they both have distribution deals that would account for alot of the visibility.

For an artist without sponsorship, distribution deal he is a success.
Guyanese artist Michael Drakes aka Sparkey

His album has what you are looking for above

groovy, uptempo, dancehall, reggae and political/social(one song Tribute) but they blend and fit together.

Nooners designed the album cover, so everything that was required is there.

1. The album is a two year album designed to promote his music which is ragga soca, but also to show his range going from raspy(dancehall) to being a tenor(groovy soca).

2. The album did what it was supposed to do

a) it won 3 awards non-Caribbean - In Canada it won "Best Internation World CD album" and he won Best International World Male Artist" In California, he won best song on a commercial station for "Ah De Vibes."

b) He has been featured in magazines in:
Seoul Korea, Japan, several in the USA, India( outside of Japan these magazines had never done a soca music artist)

c) Hoping for 2 more nominations this year before the next album comes out.

d) Set to release in the Indian market in the next two months - one song from the album and tour India in the next year.

e) Because of the DJ pools he is in(non-Caribbean, I have to say this, these are things we desperately need) he gets airplay on commercial stations - Jazz-Rock.

f) He has been at the top of several online recognized internet music charts -unfortunately enough of our artists are not out there for soca to have a category, but people like the music so he makes the charts.

h) His music is available online from Walmart, MSN, Napster, ITunes, etc. you can find him any place and in any country.

his distributors online: CD Baby: MICHAEL SPARKEY DRAKES: Sparkey & Friends Back 2 Basics and Catapult distribution

Only 3 record stores in NY still carry his album(too much work, prefer to deal online)

There is alot more going on with him and his music.


sparkeydrakes.net - Home

As far as album cover/artwork/info, soca & calypso albums are rather embarrassing. I realize budget may be an issue for many, but at least have some pride in your work and present it as something of value. If you don't want to spend money on an actual "design", at least choose 1 quality photo and include all relevant info on the back. I've done work for Sparkey as mentioned, Ajamu, Short Shirt, etc. and I was glad to see quality output. You don't know how bad I'd like to do EVERYBODY's covers! I'm tired of seeing low quality photos, typos, incorrect tracklists, and missing information.
Machel's the only artist I can think of that consistently has attractive and informative albums designs.

It's not that easy getting in touch with people - artists, management, whoever....I'm here. Link me.

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