VP Records have been putting out this particular compilation for about 7 years now. The formula is simple, take the hottest songs from the Carnival season and put them all on 1 album, Soca Gold 2003 stays true to that formula. Although several months removed from most West Indian Carnival celebrations, the album comes out in time to get us ready for the State-side jump-ups. Caribana, Baltimore Carnival, Labor Day in Brooklyn, Miami Carnival are all still awaiting us.

The track listing goes as follows:
1. Display - Invasion featuring Fay-Ann Lyons
2. Soca Bangara - Bunji Garlin & Shammi
3. 2 Nasty - FLO P.G.
4. By The Bar - 3 SUNS featuring Bunji, Benjai, Ninja & Scareface
5. Wine & Bend Over - Denise Belfon & Ghetto Flex
6. Tempted To Touch - Rupee
7. Ah Home - Iwer George
8. Bounce - Dawg - E -Slaughter
9. Ride It - Krosfyah featuring Edwin Yearwood
10. Dom Perignon - T.O.K.
11. Turn It Up - Square One featuring Andy Armstrong
12. Power Drill - Burning Flames
13. Be Humble - Maximus Dan
14. Control - Blue Ventures featuring Sanell Dempster
15. Doh Want To Know - KMC
16. I Still Need A Man - Visage
17. Dance For Me - Ruth Collymore & Crystal Austin
18. Mi Droga - Kali

I only had 1 problem with the album, there were some songs i thought were missing. The album did have Trinidad's Road March winner ''Display'' but where was Destra & Machel Montano's ''Is Carnival'' or Iwer George ''I Home''.

Other than the above omissions [which most individuals probably won't even notice or care about] the album is very good & all the songs pretty much inspire one to jump & wave. What makes this album even better is the fact that it comes with a bonus CD containing all the songs on the first disc mixed by DJ Jus Jase.

If you are West Indian, of West Indian descent, have friends who are West Indian or appreciate calypso or soca then you can't go wrong by adding this album to your collection. On the other hand if you have no idea what I was talking about in this review, than you just might want to skip this one.

*As a side note, this years cover model is Fine As Hell!

SonicAmp Rating: 9/10