UNITY EXPLOSION REVIEW: Explosive performances but little crowd support
C Danielle McNish, Observer writer
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Rutherford. entered the stage with an elegantly bejewelled torso
While the performances might have given credence to the concert/stage show's title, Unity Explosion, the fundraising event hosted by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, held at the Police Officers' Club last Saturday night, failed to receive a similar or reciprocal windfall by way of patronage.
From the start of the show there were about 300 persons present and the numbers failed to grow thereafter. The event was plagued by a severe case of tardiness, commencing some three hours after its advertised 7:00 pm start. In the interim, patrons were given the musical selections of Rebel T Disco, which after an hour or so fizzled into monotony due to lack of variety.
Singer Spanner Banner was the first artiste to make his way to the stage. His performance was lukewarm, and was more or less a 10 minute medley that included Gotta Be (originally by Des'ree), his hits What We Need Is Love, Life Goes On, Michelle, Tease Me, originally performed by his brother Pliers of the number one chart duo, Chaka Demus and Pliers and his newest single Bright Fire. He was soon followed by his younger brother, Richie Spice, who was simply clad in a red t-shirt and black jeans. His entrance to the stage was initially thwarted by microphone problems. However, within seconds this was rectified and he proceeded into his invigorating set which included Righteous Youths, Crying Out For Love, Kingfish, as well as his number hits Blood Again (Folly Living), Earth A Run Red, and Marijuana. He was joined on stage by his brother Pliers for the song Emotions, and delivered a very short but sweet rendition of Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. His encore featured Ghetto Girl, Grooving My Girl and Carl Dawkins' Satisfaction.
Chuck Fenda. was no less than sincere throughout his performance
The 'poor people defender' Chuck Fenda was no less than sincere throughout his performance. Many sang along to the uplifting and conscious tunes like Haffi Win, Oh My Lord, Only Jah, and Murderer.
This introductory offering, a showcase of Fifth Element's members and affiliates including the Element Band, lay cause for doubt and further speculation, following the management company's press release issued just over a week ago, which claimed that Chuck Fenda had been dropped from the camp.
The only female act of the evening, Rising Stars (season one) finalist, Diana Rutherford entered the stage with an elegantly bejewelled torso and backed by the In2Nation Band, she delivered three Marcia Griffiths staples (Feel Like Jumping, Always Together and Dreamland), thrilling renditions of Barbara Streisand's Left In The Dark Again, Tina Turner's Simply The Best and an original, the Latin-flavoured Official. Though her performance showcased her strong vocal abilities, Rutherford would have had less of a struggle if she had received some backing vocal support.
Abijah's high energy performance was well liked, especially by the ladies. He opened with the Marvin Gaye classic What's Going On, and quickly moved into Bob Marley's Sun Is Shining, Otis Redding's I've Been Loving You Too Long To Stop Now and the Temptations' My Girl. On more than one occasion, he mistakenly referred to the backing band as C-Sharp, though it was indeed In2Nation and he ended his set on a high note with his hit Revelation.
orge Nooks gave a six song performance which included renditions of Stick By Me, Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, How Great Thou Art, Zion Gate and Tribal War. Evening News, Don't Stay Out Late and Loving Pauper were aptly delivered by a slick Ruddy Thomas, while all-male vocal group, To-Isis, was superb with the ballad Dream Weaver and their hits Ghetto Pain and Higher Calling.
Rasta dj Fantan Mojah gave the kind of performance that could have ended last month's Western Consciousness on a much better note. Avoiding the use of expletives and arrogance, Mojah gave a full 20-minute performance infused by his hits Search and Hungry and Jah Cure's King In The Jungle. He even showed a romantic touch when he serenaded the audience with an a cappella ode to the Black woman. MC Jerry D ushered a roaring 'yeah yeah' for Mojah's return to the stage for an encore performance of the reverent Hail Di King, prior to which, Mojah invited those who were seated to join him.
Never seeming to need to catch his breath, the snappily outfitted veteran singer Ken Boothe supplied a qualified super-tight set, packed with hits and little talk, while continuously 'dropping legs'. When I Fall In Love, Artibella, Train Is Coming, Moving Away and Come Tomorrow were only a few of the hits he delivered. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, he was unable to give the expected encore, as by then there were still two major acts waiting to grace the stage and it was 1:50 am, which should have been the cut-off time for the event, in keeping with the Noise Abatement Act.
Immediately after, Morgan Heritage took the stage and backed by Luciano's Jah Messenger Band, performed a mere four songs. They succeeded in getting many females to abandon their seats in the VIP area and move to the area in front of the stage, where they danced and sang along, as they waited patiently for Gramps' solo in Down By The River. Peter Morgan's question, "Ladies, do you want to hear Grampa sing?" was met with screams. Their set also featured an interesting interplay between Gramps and saxophonist Dean Fraser.
The Messenger, Luciano sang Give Praise and This One's For The Leaders, two of his more current hits, as well as It's Me Again Jah, Lord Give Me Strength and Jacob Miller's A Chapter A Day. After only 15 minutes, he left the stage at a prompt 2:30 am, signalling the end of the event.
One of the major glitches that the production encountered was the fact that the two emcees failed to introduce themselves and their introductions of the artistes were static and sometimes boring- it was obvious that they lacked experience. It wasn't until radio personality Jerry D assumed the post, prior to Abijah's performance, that some real emceeing was done. The production suffered two other occurrences of microphone/monitor problems, after Richie Spice's initial one. Emcees also had to apologise for the absence of DYCR, Stitchie, Beenie Man and Tanya Stephens, who were all advertised for the event, but had either fallen ill or had missed their returning flights to the island, from obligations abroad. Hopefully next time around the effort will receive more patron support.
Taken From Jamaica Observer
www.jamaicaobserver.com