Turkey Wing Riddim (Soca Dancehall) – Hw8z Music / Squallo Records

Turkey Wing Riddim comes in lean and local, with just five cuts and four artists, and that setup gives the whole 2017 package a tight, backyard feel. Hw8z Music and Squallo Records keep the groove on the dancehall side even though the “soca dancehall” tag hints at a livelier island bounce, so the singers get room to play with party-ready phrasing and a light, shifty pulse underneath. Tre Duece opens with “Turks Island Woman, ” which sets the regional tone right away, while Smooth T and Choice keep the energy moving through “Dance Song” and “Number 1” with Tess. The sharpest moment, though, is Bling O’s “Close To You” with R. I. G, especially in the raw version, where the tune’s rougher edge leaves the strongest imprint.