Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

( L - R ) Jack Scorpio, Sanchez

When the big moments and stretches came at last Saturday night's Giants of the '80s dancehall concert, done sound-system style at Mas Camp, they were good. Very good.

However, despite the strong line-up, there were too many shortcomings in-between for it to be a 'gigantic' event. And when Giants of the '80s ended close to 4:30 a.m. yesterday with Mykal Roze revisiting his Black Uhuru frontman days for a delightful whiff of Sensimilla after opening with a thunderous Shootout, there were those who expressed disappointment as they walked out of the Oxford Road, New Kingston, venue.

The first of the 'giant' moments came from roots singer Admiral Tibet, coming after competent showings from Courtney Melody and Lady G, the former's Dangerous and the latter's spot-on deejaying moving the audience. Opening with Serious Time, everything Tibet went for hit home, not only because of familiarity, but also simply good singing.

Lyrically extended set

Burru Banton, who followed, took a gritty, lyrically extended set, his trademark 'ri bi bi bong' followed by the declaration "lyrics straight cross the board". Then came a competent Red Dragon, one of the big down moments following, as a highly anticipated Gregory Isaacs sang three songs then shouted "love you!" and left.

Professor Nuts, who gave an extended history lesson on his career, deejaying like his mentor Nicodemus before going into his own Tan So back from 1984 and Nuff Man Dey Ya from the following year, the audience often chanting along with the lyrics word for word, was a howling, humorous hit. The audience demanded a touch of Jimmy Bascombe, which he gave on his return to the stage.

Sound system operators Jack Scorpio and King Jammys provided big moments, too, in a tune-for-tune clash which ended with a victory for the tall, very active Scorpio, who closed with calypso Rose declaring "fiah inna Jammy's wiah", to the delight of the audience.

Lack of coordination

Giants of the '80s took a turn on the downside as Stur-Gav took over musical duties, as although the sound system was well-tuned and much more solid in the bassline than the house sound system, the music was not coming through the front speakers, but the boxes set up near the rear of the main section of the crowd. The lack of coordination affected Josey Wales, although his Love Triangle on the Beenie, Bounty and D'Angel saga hit the funny bone very hard, repeatedly. But it was Admiral Bailey who suffered most and, after opening with Tink Me Did Done and struggling through Jump Up, said "when a ting nah gwaan good it jus' nah gwaan good an yu fi know when it nah gwaan good" and left.

Then came a huge, extended moment from Sanchez, whose voice was crisp and strong, from his opening "here I am" and continuing through many a love song, the singalong going through "I can't wait till the morning comes". Sanchez stared soulfully into his lady's "big brown eyes" and counted up to Back at One and invited Flourgon on for their remake of So Amazing (To Be Loved), Johnny P coming on but his encouragement for the ladies to "jump up" falling flat.