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Can U Handle It? - review (Soca News) 2001
For energy and consistency it would be hard to beat SW Storm. Together with his band Island Fury Storm has proved many times over that he's no one-hit wonder and his music can stand comparison with the best the Caribbean has to offer. But with this difference,Storm has successfully introduced crossover flavours into many of his songs without losing the authentic taste of soca. The mix has brought the music to a whole new audience, mainly through the band's gigs in the remoter corners of the British Isles. The title track is an up-tempo, infuriatingly catchy party song, eased along by Storm's smooth vocals, which he also uses to good effect on the lovers-soca "Single". Mid-Atlantic slickness permeates "Rock ya Ride", in contrast to "Jouvert by Thousands", which deserves plenty of play down the road in Notting Hill. Storm has given the Annie Lennox/Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) hit "Sweet Dreams" a comprehensive soca makeover, including a new chorus: "It's Carnival again, we jumping and wining, we bumping and grinding, we drinking and liming, and we like it so", which is guaranteed to get them leaping around in the Welsh mud. "Oye Yeah" is an anthemic piece, a wicked fete tune with a touch of the Wild West gallop about it. Crossover appeal is written into "Nobody Can", while the funky-soca "Don't Stop the Carnival" works even better in the Hot House Mix. Soca traditionalists won't like it, but fans will be playing it loud and annoying the neighbors. Party Mix and instrumental versions of "Can u Handle it", the ibiza-flavoured Club Mix of "Nobody Can" and a version of "Sweet Dreams" with added electronic blibbles complete the 14 track line-up. This is probably SW Storm's best album yet, and it's no wonder festival-goers around the country have been snapping up the CD's. Go and do the same. ------Stephen Sparks------- Courtesy of Soca News
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