Dwight Nelson, Gleaner Writer

Gospel singer Ryan Mark engages the crowd.

It was soul's stirring-gospel music at its best in May Pen on Saturday night as the Grace Tropical Rhythms 2K8 All Island Street Blocker saw thousands of patrons in attendance at the Lieba's Esso Tiger Mart, Clarendon.

The crowd was treated to a great show as all 10 finalists in the Jamaica Gospel Festival contest along with guest performers, 2004 gospel song winner Lubert Levy and the 'louder' than ever Ryan Mark generated a refreshing blend of traditional and contemporary gospel music inclusive of reggae.

The event, staged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) started 7:45 p.m. with a praise and worship segment in which past entrant Devon Brown took the audience into divine worship.

At 8 p.m. Yasmin Bryan Brown, a cultural officer from JCDC Clarendon introduced the master of ceremony for the show, Markland 'Action Man' Edwards from Nationwide. He immediately took the crowd into a frenzy with songs like Don't You Trouble Zion and Daniel Saw the Stone Rolling.

Two segments

The gospel song finalists, who appeared in two segments, first doing a song of their choice, then an original entry, were well received by the audience as they created waves in the packed venue.

Andrew Dixon who performed I Am Not Forgotten by Israel and Newbreed along with his entry, God is My Refuge warmed up the crowd.

Girvon More's rendition of Help, Father God Help by Omari and his entry Jamaica Needs To Change also had the audience waving their rags.

However Deneese Wright's warm up piece Alabaster Box by CeCe Winans and her entry song No Condemnation was able to bring the crowd in a spiritual mood which almost had several persons on the ground after they were touched by the spirit of God.

Rhoan Clarke who performed Katalys Crew's Let Go-Let God , along with his entry, By Faith took the audience back to a dancing mood.

While exiting the stage at the end of the first segment back up singers Voices of Jamaica, created a 'holy hype' as they exhibited their dancing talent to the rhythm of the band. This also brought the crowd to three minutes of non-stop dancing.

Guest performer and 2004 Jamaica Gospel winner Lubert Levy had the audience screaming as he made his entry with Give It To Me by Toots Hibbert.

Throughout his performance he had the crowd jumping and screaming as he did songs like More Blessing Again, Read Your Bible, Tek it By Force and Roll Jordon. Based on a request from the audience he had to be recalled to the stage at the end of his performance.

Fastest drinker

There were also give-aways for the audience before the start of the second segment. MC Markland Edwards called five ladies from the audience for a Tropical Rhythm drink off contest from which Donna Moore from May Pen emerged the fastest drinker and collected a gift package from Grace Tropical Rhythms.

There was also a sing-off during which the MC called five persons from the audience to compete. Jodiann Williams emerged the winner after doing the piece Mercy Said No and she received a gift package courtesy of Tropical Rhythms.

After the gospel song finalists performed their entries, MC Markland Edwards introduced guest performer Ryan Mark to the stage.

This sent waves throughout the crowd as patrons waved their rags and screamed. Ryan Mark's one-hour performance backed by Bless up 2000 Band included songs like Alpha and Omega, Right With You, I Love You Lord, and God Have Mi Back. The receptive May Pen crowd cried for more at the end of his performance.

The patrons left the venue at 11:45 p.m. pleased with the show, though they would have had more if it was given to them.

The crowd at the show was a mixed bunch of old and young, men and women, and they all had fun listening to the music of the finalists in the JCDC Gospel Song Street Blocker held at Lieba's Esso Tiger Mart, May Pen, Clarendon on Saturday, June 28. - photos by Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer