Kandré McDonald, Freelance Writer

Left: Marcia Griffiths sings the 'Electric Boogie' at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel's New Year's Eve party, on Sunday.   Right: This reveller enjoys herself despite the crowd. - Photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The Grand Jamaican Suite Ballroom at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel was transformed into a luxurious and aesthetically-pleasing haven on New Year's Eve, as a packed house was present to ring in 2007.

The grand event got under way at approximately 7:30 p.m., with live music courtesy of the Unique Vision band and Peter Phillips Disco. There was further anticipation in the air, as the patrons awaited Marcia Griffiths' performance.

Unique Vision was on top of their game and the patrons loved them. They had the partygoers rocking to music from a variety of genres. However, the calypso and soca beats were undoubtedly the crowd's favourite, and they also loved the oldies, such as Frank Valli's Oh, What a Night, and Hue Corporation's Rock the Boat. Their exploitation of some Caribbean beats, as they went soca, had the patrons on the jam-packed floor dancing up a storm.

Dancing into 2007

When Peter Phillips Disco took over at minutes after 11:00 p.m. for another stint, the patrons who had just returned to their seats were back on their feet again. They were now jamming to some soothing dancehall mixes, with the likes of Half Pint, featuring Super Cat on Greetings, creating waves.

This mood was further heightened when Shabba's Twice My Age 'ripped' from the speakers.

Lots of men, decked in their jackets, were having a ball, as they danced the year away and their female counterparts, also exquisitely attired, were doing the same.

Several other selections from Super Cat struck home easily and Junior Gong's Jamrock welcomed the many tourists in the house.

Seconds later, a look of surprised washed the faces of many patrons as Buju Banton's deep voice shouted Driver. While many seemed amazed, others just jammed to the beat and as a result, the song received two encores.

Unique Vision took the stage once again and led the patrons straight into the New Year, which was greeted by lots of whistle blowing, screaming, shouting and just pure passion and love as lips came together.

Marcia Griffiths soon took the stage to a rousing reception and she did not disappoint the many patrons anticipating her performance.

She had the Fire Burning inside the venue, as she proclaimed I Shall Sing with the crowd singing in the background. Soon, she had the many couples moving, getting even closer, as she sang I Wanna Get Closer.

The music was just right, the food abundant, and the ringing in of 2007 a blast, inside the Grand Jamaican Suite.