Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

Left: Tasheka Miller in a swimwear from Bighead Clothing. Right: Kareen Ricketts during her scintillating performance at the Sumfest Beach Party on Sunday. - Richard Morais/Freelance Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The curtains lifted for Reggae Sumfest 2008 with a party at Tropical Beach, Montego Bay, St James, on Sunday.

The beach party traditionally opens the one-week festival.

Fewer than 2,000 patrons were treated to a good show at which Digicel Rising Star 2007 Romain Virgo and Kareen Ricketts came, saw and conquered.

While Romain was expected to be a blast, the little known Kareen, a top 10 finalist on Digicel Rising Stars 2007, was a surprise. She displayed excellent vocal range as she enthralled the audience with popular selections, also wowing them with her performance alongside the Krative Boyz dance group.

Romain was a ladies' magnet. He had them eating out of his hands with his selection of popular songs, which included some oldies. And when he jumped off stage to get close to the ladies they went wild.

Powerful acts

Other powerful acts came from Ray-Queen and Elliott, who dropped dancehall on their home ground. PACE Band, which provided musical accompaniment and background vocals, was exquisite.

There were some disappointing acts, chief among them Nickeisha Barnes.

While her talent as a singer cannot be questioned, to simply regurgitate some popular songs was not enough. And while some may say beauty is skin-deep visual presentation is very important and this was flagrantly violated by Nickeisha.

An outfit that would have been ideal if she were playing the part of the fairytale character Cinderella did nothing to enhance her appeal.

The beach party was complemented by a fashion show by Bighead Clothing, Collection and Envy Shop, modelled by the Peta-Gay King's PG Entertainment models.