( L - R ) Maxi Priest and Mackie Conscious - Photos by Adrian Frater Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
Although several artistes were forced to play brief sets because of the jam-packed line-up, Saturday night's 'Unite the People' showcase, staged at the Montpelier Show Ground, in St. James, was a fabulous musical spectacle, rich in entertainment.
While the likes of Mackie Conscious, Trinidadian female DJ Ms. Triniti, Anthony B and Freddie McGreggor all deserve high marks for the blistering early pace they set, it was the show's final three hours, which featured Capleton, Shaggy, Lady Saw, Sizzla, Macka Diamond and Beenie Man that all but brought the house down.
In fact, except for an uncharacteristic show of anger by Luciano, who in a fit of rage, kicked a monitor box off the stage and later stormed off in a huff after being heckled by a fan, the show was perhaps a perfect example of what a top-flight reggae show should be.
For the ardent dancehall fan, Beenie Man's performance, which he shared with his wife D'Angel, his dancers and two side-kicks, was expertly delivered as the lyrical dancehall doctor unleashed the best of his catalogue, which had the fans dancing and screaming.
As if to remind them of his amazing stagecraft, versatility and charisma, Beenie Man took time out to exhibit his dazzling dancing skills and later got quite tender, planting a wet kiss on his wife lips in wishing her a happy birthday.
If Beenie Man reflected showmanship and lyrical mastery, then the 'fireman' Capleton gave a crash-course in dishing scorn on homosexuals and other sexual deviants. In fact, while fellow firebrand artistes, Anthony B and Sizzla, were also uncompromising, he added a few choice expletives for emphasis.
Sweeter side of reggae
While the group Bonafide, songbird Marcia Griffiths, Tarrus Riley and Maxi Priest, who performed with a broken leg, all represented the sweeter side of reggae with consummate ease, belting out a string of reggae classic, it was the veteran Freddie McGreggor who mastered the delivery of compelling hits.
In what could be described as a case of giving the people exactly what they wanted, Freddy McGreggor, a 40-year veteran in the business, kept the fans dancing and screaming as he delivered hits without losing momentum.
Photojournalists were forced to take cover, as frenzied fans danced to songs such as Push Come to Shove, Loving Pauper and Winner, trampling over all the available space.
After listening to 'message' singer Mackie Conscious, one could easily understand the frustration that comes out in his song, Lucky Me Nuh Lucky, in which he sings about not being able to 'bust' despite a string of popular songs.
Mackie Conscious had the crowd firmly in his corner as he made his mark with, What If, Can't be a King, Lucky Me Nuh Lucky and his massive encore choice, These Streets a take-off of Tanya Stephens' hit song of the same name.
In terms of an international flavour, superstar Shaggy showed why the international market continues to embrace his music and sing his praises.
The clean-cut Shaggy, who got vocal support from Rayvon was velvet-smooth on songs such as, Hot Gal, It wasn't Me, Angel, Strength of a Woman and Church Heathen, while Anthony B showed class and great maturity in songs such as, Good Cop, Bad Cop, Hurt the Heart and Sorry.
The proverbial cat
While female deejays Macka Diamond and Ms. Triniti largely succeeded in adding a subtle taste of sex in their well-received presentation, it was veteran Lady Saw who really set the proverbial cat among the pigeons in that area.
After starting out pretty subdued with, Chat to Me Back, the thought-provoking Lady Saw sought and got the audience's permission to cross the line and then all hell broke loose. While not showing a lot of skin as in former times, she seemed more than comfortable exploring suggestive bedroom topics.
Among the other acts who performed on the line-up, To-Isis, Jimmy Riley, Ginger, Rising Star winners One Third and George Nooks all did enough to keep their fans happy.
