James Ingram

Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

When Paula-Ann Porter welcomed all to the official launch of the 'Kings of Soul' concerts on Wednesday evening, she made it clear that "This will be one of, if not the best, Father's Day shows you have seen on the Jamaican scene."

And seen on large screen at the Belasario Suite, Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston, were those who will sing from their musical thrones at the Island Village, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on Saturday, June 16; and the lawns of the Constant Spring Golf Club on Sunday, June 17. They are The Manhattans, Billy Ocean, James Ingram, Shai and the Phonics (formerly the Delfonics).

James Ingram will perform on only the Kingston show.

In the flesh was Christopher Martin who, along with Rachel, will be the Jamaican performers on the 'Kings of Soul' series.

Robert Minott, CEO of World Beat Music Group which is putting on 'Kings of Soul', sai he is now based in Houston, Texas, "I was born in Jamaica and Jamaican people like tohave good entertainment," promising "good production" at the concerts.

Both concerts begin at 8:00 p.m., with the venues open to the public at 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $2,500 pre-sold and $3,000 at the gate for the general area, while those headed to the VIP section will be required to pay $3,500 before concert day and $4,000 at the gate.

In Ocho Rios, pre-sold tickets are available at Shimmer, the Ocho Rios Jerk Centre, Cool Oasis and John Crow's Tavern, with Adam and Eve, Constant Spring Road, Pizza Pazza in New Kingston and Liguanea Esso being the ticket outlets in Kingston.

Tickets go on sale on Monday.

The very brief launch ended with Odessa Chambers of Odessa Chambers Media thanking a number of sponsors for Kings of Soul, which inlcudes the World Beat Music Group, Platform Media Ltd., FAME FM, Celebrity News, CVM TV, Adam and Eve, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Fusion Entertainment.

Shai

The Manhattans are slated to perform for Father's Day weekend. - Contributed Photos

Billy Ocean