Experience carnival all year round with Norman Jay’s eclectic compilation that spans soul, Latin and funk
Samba and soca are the signature sounds of carnival because Brazil and Trinidad are homes to the world’s most revered street celebrations. But if you’ve ever ventured to the UK’s largest jamboree, London’s Notting Hill, you’d hear reggae, soul and whatever club stylings are in vogue. That’s because the Jamaican sound system has always been a fixture of Notting Hill, allowing DJs to appropriate the makeshift speakers to play any type of music that took their fancy. And in the case of Jay’s hugely popular Good Times Sound System, he really does play pretty much anything.
Norman Jay Presents Good Times 30th Anniversary Edition is a typical Jay set, which means flare-flapping disco and low-fi house sit beside Philly strings and Latin-infused soul.
If you want to experience Jay’s inimitable version of carnival from the comfort of your couch, this is a good place to start.
Strut Records
Short documentary exploring the work of DJ Norman Jay and his Good Times sound system