Post by messenger on Jul 4, 2004 8:01:15 GMT -5
Anthony B shines on "Reggae Night"
By Michael A Edwards Observer writer
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Anthony B
With the new moon poised like a spotlight over the grounds and the stately palms lined off like sentinels along one end of the Hope Gardens property, the International Reggae Day observances for 2004 came to a close, with the music fraternity remembering departed Crown Prince Dennis Brown and the more recently departed Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd.
On stage, a Rasta-themed night of entertainment unfolded on the lawns outside Yvonne Hope's marvellous Ashanti restaurant, in between citations to Dodd, Marcia Griffiths and other greats. Nadine Sutherland signalled the much-awaited start with a throaty rendition of the National Anthem, followed by prayers in both English and the ancient Ethiopian language of Giz, principally used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
The "house band" Groove Galore provided excellent backing for the artistes, among them a no-nonsense Anthony B and a resurgent Prezident Brown who each stamped their respective credentials on an otherwise middling vocal showcase.
Anthony B began his rousing set in typical 'gangsta' fashion with a track called Untouchable replete with edgy guitars and declarations that he was above attempts by the CIA and FBI to collar him, he ironically used the song as a lead-in to an appeal against gun violence and other crimes. The more popular tunes followed, including Raid de Barn and Fire Pon Rome.
The iconoclastic DJ then set his sights on events in the Persian Gulf with a haunting track from his upcoming album entitled Soldiers. He closed with One Ting and the smash cover ballad Someone Loves You Honey, addressing part of the song to cheating husbands. He also spoke to unsuitable women through the song Fandangles.
Brown, who has been knocking at the door of stardom for some time, made his strongest bid yet with an easy but eloquent set that included the track Faith, lyrically one of the best compositions this writer has heard in a long time. That song was preceded by the intense Prayer and followed by a track from his forthcoming CD, the title song Generation Next.
Those aside, enjoyable performances came from veteran Ernie Smith, whose repertoire included Life Is Jus' For Livin, Tears On My Pillow and the classic ditty of misplaced paranoia, Duppy or Gunman, and relative newcomer Lymie Murray, whose set included an appropriately soulful cover of Great Expectations.
Kulcha Knox, son of Reggae Day honouree, the late Jeff 'Free-I" Dixon, had a choppy tenure on stage but scored with Set Yuself Free and Home of Music.
Other awardees included the Mighty Diamonds, whose 35-year unbroken stint as reggae ambassadors was appreciatively noted. The young daughter of Bunny Diamond read their acceptance speech to the delight of the crowd. Ace producer Bobby Digital (whose clients included Shabba Ranks, Coco Tea and Prezident Brown), video director Little X, for his work with Sean Paul, and Sean Paul himself, who was cited as a 'Breakthrough Artist' for his exploits atop several Billboard and European charts.
Before and after the formalities, Mutabaruka entertained with vintage and current hits through his Blakk Muzik sound station and guests were treated to a delectable array of vegetarian hors d'ouvres as well as natural fruit juice blends from Ashanti, and other libations courtesy of Wray and Nephew.
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