Tunes in the time of corona: A playlist from Trinidad & Tobago hits all the right notes · Global Voices
Journalists and podcasters <PERSON> (left) and <PERSON> (right), of Trini Good Media. Photo by <PERSON>, used with permission.
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Trinidadian journalists <PERSON> and <PERSON> — collectively known as Trini Good Media, since December 2017, when their podcasting outfit was launched — wanted to find ways to unite people during the COVID-19 pandemic, so they did the polar opposite of what you might expect. Rather than produce a newsy programme on prevention measures, they took to Facebook to ask their friends and followers to pick two of their favourite songs and explain what makes them special.
<PERSON> was inspired by a friend, <PERSON>, who introduced her to a concept called “Stick it On” at parties in Brighton, England, where she used to live. It allowed ordinary music lovers to literally get their 15 minutes of fame by doing their thing on the DJ decks. You didn't have to be a mixmaster, just bring enough music to fill the time slot and play. What that created, remembers <PERSON>, was “a real diversity of music, very interesting, very organic”, and she loved the fact that there was something for everybody.
More than 100 Facebook comments later, the podcasting version of this idea resulted in a musical cornucopia that seamlessly melded different genres and brought back fond memories for listeners all around the world whose physical movements, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have been restricted by ever-tightening isolation measures. 550
The playlist — and the stories that go with it — offers a glimpse of Trinidad and Tobago's society and culture. Here are a few highlights…
‘Song for a Lonely Soul’ by <PERSON>
One of the most innovative, enduring and socially conscious calypsonians of all time, <PERSON> and his then band, Charlie's Roots, released this song in 1989 as part of the album “The Power and the Glory”. One listener said it was a wonderful reminder of the deep connection that Trinbagonians have with their country, no matter what part of the world they happen to be, while another said the song was special to her because when she was pregnant, the baby would move whenever she played it.
‘Stomp’ by The Brothers Johnson
Listener <PERSON> suggested this funk/rhythm and blues classic as a “[favourite] for impromptu dancing”. There were quite a few other songs in the mix that got people to move, including <PERSON> “Let's Dance”, Earth Wind & Fire's “Let's Groove”, the energetic collaboration between songstress <PERSON> and soca icon <PERSON>, “It's Carnival”, and — quite to <PERSON> disdain — <PERSON> “Frankie”: “You can't help but sing along,” she says, “even though you hate it.”
Also great for dancing in that uniquely Trinbagonian style, “wining”, is Lord Kitchener‘s calypso classic “Sugar Bum Bum”, and Shadow's “Bassman”, both boasting mesmerising bass lines. Facebook user <PERSON> noted the importance of the latter “because of its place in calypso history and because it speaks so clearly [to] the burden/blessing of a creative life.”
‘Virtual Insanity’ by Jamiroquai
This pick by the British funk band Jamiroquai was requested by Facebook user <PERSON>, because the lyrics always feel relevant, he says, to how he feels about the times, “plus [the] video is fire!” Other commenters shared that the song — and indeed, the whole set — was refreshingly soothing and brought back wonderful memories. <PERSON>, a Trinidadian living in Houston, Texas, said, “I feel like I'm in a house lime [party] with a small group of very close friends.”
‘My Belief’ by <PERSON>
There were quite a few uplifting and inspiring songs in the mix, including “Timeless” by <PERSON>, <PERSON> “Overjoyed”, pianist <PERSON> instrumental version of soca star <PERSON>’ wildly popular hit, “Savannah Grass”, and “Feel the Love”, a collaboration between Freetown Collective and DJ <PERSON>. 264