September 30th 1990 saw the very first of Martin Jay’s Caribbean Affair on ChoiceFM. Since that broadcast 18 years ago, he has been waving the flag for the music and culture of the Caribbean.

Recalling the time, the Soca Prince said “When I got into Choice I was playing for an audience much older than me; and there was a movement as well - everything came together at the same time.”

As well as becoming a high profile figure in the UK and global soca scene, the DJ has interviewed many of the genre’s legends. He counts as important in his own advance the rapport he has built with artists such as SuperBlue, Iwer George and Ronnie Macintosh, and the inspiration of stars such as Mighty Sparrow, Roaring Lion, and Lord Pretender, as well as modern greats including David Rudder and Bunji Garlin.

Whilst the ‘thirty something’ broadcaster has played a vital role in the development of the soca scene in the UK, he is quick to pay tribute to pioneers such as Dexter Kahn and Smokey Joe, and to the legendary Camden Palace Cocoyea fêtes of the 1990s: “Credit has to be given for that; for having a vision and saying: 'a lot of youths out there need something, and we can provide it’”.

Over nearly two decades, Martin has travelled throughout the Caribbean; these trips are amongst the highpoints of his career. He fondly recalls: “The Caribbean Affair’s outside broadcasts; three in Barbados, four in St. Lucia, two in Trinidad; we’ve been to Grenada, St. Kitts - we tried to take things to another level”.

He’s just returned from Grenada's Spice Mas jump-up, having already chalked up Trinidad, St Lucia, and Barbados this year. In between, he fit in playing Notting Hill Carnival with Burrokeets UK.

As someone who has seen massive changes in carnival in London, Martin is concerned that one element of the Notting Hill festival is not lost: “There is no concentration on the masqueraders” he says. ”If you don’t concentrate on them, the masqueraders and what they need, you have a big problem”.

Talking about the future, the Big Pappy is about to launch an online music venture; he has a new producer for his Caribbean Affair Show and the plan is, “To keep pushing the music, give something extra; and the vibe and energy will encourage people to listen”.

Many happy returns, Caribbean Affair.