THE SOCA TAKIN OVER!! Was the war cry from the SPIND D MUSIC sound crew as they launched their signature event, "ESCAPE 2 SOCA & DANCEHALL…part 2". It was the most anticipated event in Sydney as the Trini promoters "Scratch and Silver" put on their first official Soca fete since returning from TnT Carnival 2k6. Additionally it was "Ladies First" which included a glass of champagne for the ladies plus a discounted admission.

The event was hosted inside Luna Lounge night club at the world famous Jackson's on George hotel in the heart of Sydney's Central Business District. The event was well attended and the door clickers estimated the numbers to exceed 500 after free admission was granted after 3:00 am. This was exceptional considering Sydney only has a handful of West Indians.

Early in the house came the SOCA Lovers, a small Trini posse who made the migration to Port-of-Spain for the annual carnival. They immediately demanded Maximus Dan's "Fighter (Soca Warrior)" and Allison Hind's "Roll It", but it had to be delayed by the DJs as they kept the night climaxing. Next rolled in a heavy contingent from Japan bubbling to the latest dancehall beats of the SMASH, Icebreaker, Baddis Ting, and Heavenly Riddims. By midnight the place was ram out with a Swiss section and French crew.

The selecta Silver Kid, from SPIN D MUISIC decided to take the crowd into a frenzy reversing time into the original 90's dancehall riddims with tracks from Super Cat (Cabin Stabin, How yuh Pretty So), Shelly Thunder (Kuff), Johnny Osbourne (No Ice Cream Sound), Pinchers (Bandelero). Then came the Soca remix to Marlon Asher's "Ganja Planter" which sent the herbalist in a frenzy and Jr. Gong's, "Welcome to Jamrock" laid the icing on the cake.

Before we could blink, a big squad of Africans came blazing through as the selectas dropped the heaviest dancehall chune, Baby Cham's "Ghetto Story" on the 85 Riddim. At this point, the dub heads were mashing up Luna Lounge with gun shot salutes up in the air!! Sound the big ting as a wicked remix of Machel Montano's "Scandalous" on the 85 Riddim was dropped (courtesy of Soca Therapy). Well the Soca Lovers knew exactly what was coming and the hands went up in the air. But the best was yet to come ...... the promoters gave out 400 glow sticks to the massives and then ...... the lightsman cut the lights into an abyss of complete darkness. MADNESS ... as never seen before in Australia as the bumpers started to roll and the Soca was pumping through the veins. Was it good timing or coincidence as Zan and Machel's "The Heart of a Man" was pumping in the background.

The Soca was Taking Over with Destra's "Jumpin", Fay Anne Lyons and Ms Alysha's "Party" (we have the world wide web primere of the video - see music videos), somebody say ONE, TWO, THREE…….that's right "Ting 4 De Road" in a night club in Sydney, Australia? Then as if we were reminiscing Carnival all over again, the selecta had the crowd anticipating the next chune with a looped beat, until MC Laylo brought out the new dance, "From Side to Side". Well the Trinis knew there was only one chune that goes from side to side. In an amazing spectacle of colours, 100, then 200 until 300+ glowsticks were in the air swaying from left to right and then the big question from the Silva Kid, "Sydney Australia, if you love Soca, say Yeah Yeah!!". "Japanese posse, if you love Soca say Yeah Yeah!" For people who are not fluent in English, they went crazy, supa hype. The response was roaring as the MC asked for all the members from "TRIBE" to put a hand in the air ..... then the Silver Kid dropped, the road march, "Band of the Year" ..... it was a spectacle ... nice vibes.

After the Soca passed, it was time for the guest artiste, "SABOTAGE". A youth man on the Sydney Dancehall scene making an impact with the ladies. He was delayed from his scheduled time and then there appeared to be a miscommunication as the instrumental dropped, the smoke went off but there was no artiste on stage. This prompted the lights man to pass current in the lights again which was mistaken for the end of the dance. So the lights flickered once more until "SABOTAGE" fired up the massives with tunes from his repertoire. All in all the fete was pure vibes. Thanks to the Scratch and Silver crew for a night to remember.