Differentology [LP]

by Bunji Garlin

Overview

The first soca artist to crossover globally since Kevin Lyttle released "Turn Me On" in 2003, singer Bunji Garlin offers a much more rough and energetic take on the genre. Having collaborated with Busta Rhymes and been remixed by Major Lazer, his 2014 effort Differentology retains some of these pop influences with hip-hop beats and EDM production techniques scattered about. Album-opener "Red Light District" -- which begins "somebody give me a rhythm to activate the waistline on the feminine gender, NOW!" -- shuffles with an electro trap beat and features crystal clear production straight out of the R&B charts, while "Truck on D Road" appears here in its EDM-loving remix with rapper A$AP Ferg on board to add those dark hip-hop elements. Put a Major Lazer remix in the middle and this vibrant splash from the edge of dance is such twisted disco it could be on Diplo's label Mad Decent, but the base of the album is still party-time soca, with hyped-up highlights like "Touchless" offering the slang and insider spark so central to the dancehall-fast, salsa-bright, and Trinidad-born genre. Add the reggae-infused "Over the Hills" and the big, pre-Carnival anthem/title track and Differentology is a massive release, but jumbling the remixes into the album's regular track list is odd and redundant, and reveals that this isn't a tailored album but a catch-up compilation. That's fine, however, as Bunji has been on a roll as of late, racking up numerous soca hits while expanding the genre. He sees dance music as freedom and works James Brown-hard at delivering this message, while his combination of charisma and supreme leader stylings comes straight out of Paisley Park, even if Bunji is a much more gruff character than Prince. Filled with the tracks that made him Trinidad's Soca Monarch, plus a favorite among those who those who like to see the boundaries of pop music pushed, Differentology is a fine intro to this dynamic and vital artist. ~ David Jeffries

Product Details

Release Date:	08/25/2014
Label:	Rca / Vp Records
UPC:	0888430987319
Rank:	96187

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Red Light District
2. Carnival Tabanca
3. Savage
4. Differentology (Ready for the Road)
5. Truck on D Road [Remix]
6. West Indian Jungle

Disc 2

7. Touchless
8. Differentology (Ready for the Road) [Major Lazer Remix]
9. Carnival Tabanca [Viking Remix]
10. All O'Dem
11. Stages
12. Over the Hills
13. Gi Dem Dey

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bunji Garlin   Primary Artist
A$AP Ferg   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Paul "Jester" Jones   Producer,Composer
Edwin Howell   Executive Producer,Project Coordinator,A&R
Paul Shields   Mastering
Darien Bailey   Composer,Producer
Jason Farmer   Composer
Ian Alvarez   Composer,Executive Producer
Jonathan Mannion   Photography
Dwain Antrobus   Composer
Keshav Singh   Producer
Klase Gonzales   Composer
Deron D. James   Art Direction
Thomas Wesley Pentz   Composer
Kevin Marshall   Composer,Producer
Darold Ferguson   Composer
Keston Patrick   Composer,Producer
Sam Chadburn   Producer
Richie Beretta   Mixing
Keron Thompson   Composer
Sheriff Mumbles   Producer
Chris Chin   Executive Producer