Jamroc Reggae Fest - Memorable Performances

 Written By: Stan Evan Smith

 

 

When I arrived at the West Chester County Center singer Courtney ‘Modern Girl’ Melody was just completing his set. I had just missed the old school virtuoso dancehall set featuring, Brigadier Jerry, de general, his sister, Muma Nancy, Ranking Joe, Mikey Jarret, and Lady Ann. After Melody next up were the comical Twin of twins, whose reputation preceded them. They didn’t disappoint. They were hilarious with their impersonations giving dancehall comedy a good name. They proved that artist don’t have to crude, homophobic or disrespectful to females in dancehall culture to be entertaining. 

The ole war horse, DJ Cutty Ranks took the stage next, and as usual he was in no mood to mince words. He opened with his attack on politicians and politics, and then he segued in the tired anti-oral sex diatribe, before hitting a brief stride with crowd favorites like “De Bomba’ ‘Limb by Limb’ and the new one ‘War channel’. Cutty had the crowd in an uproar and left the stage to a arousing ovation.

One of the finest vocalists in modern music Richie Stephens made his entrance with his Garnet Silk collaboration “Get on up, stand up and fight back.’ He paid tribute in song to his mentor Dennis Brown. Stevens he belted out Brown’s classics ‘Should I’ and ‘Love and Hate’ and the audience showed their appreciation for the power of Browns music by remaining standing for the tribute. When Ritchie belted Luther’s “I’d rather Have Bad Time” from his ‘Covers for Lovers’ Cd, the women went into a screaming frenzy. He closed his set with his call and the audience response to his operatic scale climbing to top of the pentatonic scale holding his last note for about 25 second.  His set thought exciting and entertaining, was too brief.

Tarrus Riley’s NYC debut (also too short and hurried) was luke-warm. He opened with the “The Man Who Thinks he Larger than Life’ from his CD  “Challenges.” Even when he sang his big hit “Stay with You” his performance didn’t connect with the audience until his fourth and final song, ‘She’s Royal’ his current single. Riley’s perpetual motion on the stage and crowd extortions, at times, became too distracting. This took the focus away from his lyrics and music which was new unfamiliar material to the audience. As a serious artist, unlike hype DJs his audience needs to focus on his performance less so than being asked to be a part of it. The artist also told me he had difficulty with the band.

           The Ruff Stuff replaced the New Kingston band on the stand. DJs Lexus and Mr. Peppa gave good account of themselves. However, the mood changed when, Marcia Griffiths, the classy lady with to the regal bearing and superb vocal style took the stage.  She gave a fine professional performance with touch of gracefulness. This caused Promoter Squeeze-while imploring her to do a third encore- to state “This lady owns the Westchester Reggae Fest.” Lady Griffith divided her set into several segments. She opened with her 70’s, hits like “Closer To You’ ‘Be With You Everywhere’ Kiss you Once More’ Tell me now’ Peaceful Woman and Dreamland’ then segued into her Penthouse years with classics like Bob Andy’ Fire Burning, handling the DJ portion of the song until Cutty Ranks made his way on stage. Slowing down the pace with ‘All My Love’ it was her soulful rendition to Nancy Wilson’s ‘How glad I am’ that left us wanting more.  She conjured up the power of  the music two departed legends, the late Joseph Hill of Culture when she sang ‘Zion Gate’ and ‘Jah Jah See Dem a Come’ and Bob Marley as she sung ‘Could You Be Loved’ and acapella version of ‘Redemption Song.’ Her tribute brought the capacity crowd to their feet. Marcia ended her set with old-School dancehall tunes including the classic Dawn Penn “No No No” capping a truly great performance.

           Autumn, the eight-year old female poet, with her understanding of racism, female empowerment and race politics that belie her youth gave Jamroc Reggae Fest a political edge. She recited three provocative poems, the first two, White Revolution and the13^thAmendment’ were political polemics. However signaling the importance of women to the creation of life she introduced the third piece, Power for the Woman” saying “Since we created the World with God as well.” Her comment brought the women in the audience to their feet with applause and caused veteran Rasta poet, Ras Tesfa, to remark that he had to reorganize his poetry presentation after she performed before him at another venue.

                                                   Big Yard Crew

Big Yard Recording artist, Ky-enie created a somber the vibe with his acoustic set. He performed his minor hits “Wings of an Angel” and “When the rain Fall.”  

Next up was dancehall’s new sensation Movado. With his hardcore violent lyrics “Top Shotta nah miss” isn’t Jamaica’s’ highest gun-murder rate in the world enough? He suffered bad-timing and misplacement and was boring after Autumn’ poetry.  

            With a band change came star power. Working with Shaggy’s Big Yard crew new sensation Etana, who recently parted company with Ritchie Spice’s 5^th Element Crew-, whose emotionally intense powerhouse vocals is matched by passion her against injustice, launce into “Love over Money.” Her current single “Roots” inspired by story told to her by Africa boy child about being beaten to learn the English language in school. Etana’s soul rang with hurt and pain when she belted her big hit ‘Wrong Address’ about the injustice metered out to her aunt from August Town. Stylistically Etana, sounds like a cross between Lady Saw and Tracy Chapman. Her inflection is raw Jamaican patios and English gives her interesting and edgy sound. Her big voice has depth, range and intense passion Watch this young lady; she should only get better as performer.

            Shaggy, aka Mr.Lova, Lova, hit the stage along with Rayvon and Brooklyn’ Squeechy Dan, with his professional brand of unique DJ-ing including  comedic slap-stick, witty repartee, facial gestures, sexually suggestive lyrics and gyrations had the crowd hyped. Shaggs-man created dance routines, innuendo filled double entendres and just plain madness. As scenario lyricist Shaggy recreate his stories on stage. From “Church Heathen” to “More Woman” to “Bombastic” and “It wasn’t me” the Westchester crowd eat up his performance even though it wasn’t one of his best performances.

            Buju Banton who delivered his usual high octane performance may have suffered from over-exposure. This was his third show in NY in nine months, his last being May 6^th at Madison Square Garden. Also he stayed on longer than he needed to.

           Reggae Fest show had some great performances overall, however, the production was too long and, at times proved exhausting and boring. With a line up of so many artists (30) including established artists, they needed more time for individually satisfying performances. At least two artists complained to this reporter that they didn’t have enough time to give the public enough to satisfy them. Yes, the artist did sign a contact to an agreed performance allotted time but, the public doesn’t give dam about that they pay good money to be given enough of the artist to justify spending their money. As a result the public is short changed. Also the show ran late. Because of the lateness of the hour, working folks and many of the patrons who had a long trek back to NYC they began leaving early.

            By 12:15 am Monday morning tired and weary this writer left the venue with the line up left to perform including Frankie Paul, Lukie D, Sanchez, Singing Melody, and Thriller U and Capleton, a whole other show.