Western Bureau:

Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant showed that despite the name change from New Edition to Head of State, they are still as musically potent. They delivered an electrifying performance, steeped in fun, energy and charisma at last week Wednesday night's Caribbean Classic Golf Invitational concert at the Rose Hall Aqueduct in Montego Bay.

Closing the show after splendid earlier performances by the likes of songbird Tessanne Chin and the lyrically slick deejay Assassin, Head of State rolled back the clock in fine style, reeling off many of the chart-topping R&B and pop songs which made them a household name.

With the fans vacating their seat to greet their entry onstage, the dynamic trio, looking quite dapper in their matching mixture of white and off-white outfits, went straight to work. Bobby got things going as he glided around the stage almost playfully, belting out a crisp rendition of the hit, On Our Own, for which he was supported with excellent harmonies by Johnny and Ralph.

As the tempo continued to rise, the fans got an unplanned bonus treat when Bobby handed the microphone to renowned comedian, Cedric 'The Entertainer', who was seated in the VIP section. The Barber Shop star did not disappoint as he was bang on key, belting out the lyrics of With You All The Way, as if he had rehearsed with Head of State.

As the enterprising Americans continued to add fun and frolic as they sang and danced with much enthusiasm, Bobby continued to induce much giggles with his non-stop stage antics as he clowned around. In fact, it was difficult at times to determine whether the soulful trio or the fans were having more fun.

With their bodies soaked with perspiration and the wrap-up sign coming from their management team, Head of State reluctantly brought their performance to a close but not before they lifted the patrons into another bout of musical frenzy with popular hits, Do What I Gotta Do and Sensitivity.

OUTSTANDING

Chin, the first of the established acts to perform, was simply outstanding as she once again showed why her fusion of dancehall, reggae and rock has made her arguably one of the best female vocalists to have emerged out of Jamaica in recent times. With a seductive black dress hugging her body sensuously, Chin immediately captured the attention of the male patrons and ended up giving them a double treat as she gyrated smoothly across the stage, belting out the lyrics to Broken Melody.

Chin quickly transformed the venue into a velvet-smooth affair as she soothed the fans with songs such as Family, which was being done publicly for the first time, and her expert cover of Dennis Brown's Should I. The energy remained quite high as songs such as Messenger and Only You kept the fans in a happy mood.

Assassin proceeded and quickly dispelled the notion that dancehall deejays are one-dimensional. Utilising basic intelligence and a sense of occasion, Assassin not only rose to the occasion but left an indelible mark on the event.

With a predominantly foreign crowd before him, he steered clear of the trademark dancehall 'haul and pull ups' and instead delivered a well-organised set, laced primarily with his better-known songs. It was a pleasure watching him working the stage with calm assurance as he delivered songs such as Ghetto Policy, Step Pon Dem, Priority and Idiot Thing Dat with authority.

The veteran group Chalice, which was expected to make a major splash, found themselves pressed for time as, because of the late start to the show, they had to do a 'hit-and-run' set as Head of State waited in the wings to perform. Nonetheless, Wayne Armond and his colleagues managed to make their mark with songs such as Good to be There, Lick a Chalice and Dangerous Disturbance.

Prior to top performers taking the stage, the patrons were treated to a series of fairly decent performances by the likes of promising male vocalist J McKay, New York-based Jamaican-born female singer Sasha Samantha, and Ras Penco, a gifted young lyricist who is seemingly well on the way to becoming a top-flight act.

J McKay's short set was quite entertaining, especially when he unleashed Benji Myaz's Love You Higher. Samantha, whose offering consisted of a generous mix of R&B and dancehall, performed with much energy and enthusiasm and made her mark belting out Tanya Stephen's Little White Lie.

Ras Penco was calm and self-assured, treating the occasion like his regular stamping ground, confidently belting out songs such as Carry On, Jungle Out There and Thousand Miles Away. He is definitely an act that is poised to go places.

- Adrian Frater