‘Ring D Bell’

Tue Jul 01, 2014

Editor: ‘Ring D Bell’ (Godfrey Dublin), ‘Ah Want a Soca man’ (Fryktion) and ‘Soca, rum and gal’ (Rayzor RQB) are three songs which represent at two ends of the spectrum, different directions in Vincentian/Caribbean music.{{more}}

‘Soca man’ is designed for a blend of sensuality (in terms of rhythm, arrangement and delivery) and commerciality – (the road and dance clubs), and similar comments could be made about ‘Soca, rum and gal’, that particular track about debauchery so popular with the young generation these days. Both these songs are representative of a formulaic layout guaranteeing sales – their bottom line.

‘Ring D Bell’ (soca, not to be confused with Patches Knights’ social commentary piece of the same name) is Godfrey Dublin’s 2014 offering and is a top 5 hit, according to NBC radio’s Johnny P’s Hit list (although airplay elsewhere is flagging).

Ragga soca at its standard best, with music created by Kamal Archibald and conceptualised by CLAWS Music Inc, with astute almost symphonic progressions with a quick noted (semiquavers) run here and there in the synthesizer parts, should be given an equal chance with the more commercial songs, since it is a positive song lyric and music wise, addresses the state of things.

‘Ring D Bell’ is the third CLAWS music production, which tries to integrate Rock Pop and Soca with attention to the Caribbean ID, previous offerings being ‘Any Numbah cud Play’ and ‘wey you tink’.

Dublin says the song was written with culture in mind and sends a message to soca artistes and society “Let’s (improve) and brighten things up.” Dublin had much to say on the current state of music which can be crystallised in his advice: “Let artistes and arrangers take a little time and listen to what they are producing.”He reminds us that ragga soca originated in SVG – and that our ‘name’ is not big enough in the genre. Also worthy to note, the lyric encourages vibrance and viability in everyday extra-commercial culture.

Lyrically, ‘Ring D bell’ is a good marriage of current ideas with a throw back to the sentiment and energy synonymous with classic old school. It speaks on the state of things while also illustrating the spirit of Carnival: “Rude girls tired waiting/thirsty to wine on something/rude boys they dribbling/eager to start the drinking…,” but the lyric

also talks about the slump in creativity and economy with “pan in the panyard rusting….business suffering… economy stagnating…Ring D Bell…”

That two of the most stalwart artistes, Dublin and Knights, could symbolically come out with – in the same year – tracks concidentally mirroring a certain concept in the title ‘Ring D Bell’ is maybe a sign of the times.

Colin King