Reggae songbird Queen Ifrika seems quite composed during her performance on Friday's night's International Night One at Reggae Sumfest '09 at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, in Montego Bay.

Western Bureau: ON A night when sexy-flavoured R&B challenged roots-rock reggae for supremacy at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, in Montego Bay, the western city's two emerging superstars, Queen Ifrika and Jah Cure, stole the spotlight with awesome sets on Friday night's International Night One at Reggae Sumfest.

With international superstars Ne-Yo, Jazmine Sullivan and Keri Hilson throwing down the gauntlet in their earlier segments with their mixture of R&B and pop, the lyrical Queen Ifrika and the potent Jah Cure, who were the penultimate and closing acts, respectively, responded like champions for reggae.

After watching Queen Ifrika all but bringing the house down in a performance spiced masterly with songs like, Daddy, Keep It To Yourself, Lioness on the Rise and her Man in the Mirror tribute to the late Michael Jackson; a confident Jah Cure went into his catalogue and left no doubt that he is arguably reggae's premier star.

It was Jah Cure at his authoritative best as he spared none of his hits in lifting the fans into a joyful frenzy. Songs like, Good Morning Jah, Sticky Out Deh, Run Come Love Me, done in combination with deejay Jah Mason; Great Men, done with singjay Fanton Mojah; Free, with singer Jahranimo; Call on Me, with female singer Phyllisia; were all exceptional.

So as to leave very little doubt as to why promoters are crawling over each other to sign him, Jah Cure showed that, like the greats before him, he has mastered the skills of holding and keeping the fans in tune with superb offerings of, Reflection, Freedom and Longing For.

a sizzling set

Prior to the coming of Queen Ifrika and Jah Cure, R&B star Ne-Yo delivered a sizzling set, rich in instruments, showmanship and stage craft. The fans had an absolute ball as he skillfully reeled off songs like, Mad, Miss Independent, Go on Girl and Why Does She Stay, which had the venue rocking with piercing screams from the ladies.

Ne-Yo further endeared himself to the ladies as he gyrated sensuously at times and then later striped off his shirt to reveal well-toned abs. He was risqué in allowing a few daring ladies to grope his private parts. He had the crowd reaching up to cloud nine with his naughty jigs to Spice and Vybz Kartel's controversial Rampin' Shop.

The incredibly sexy Keri Hilson, who performed on track, was a dynamite. Along with her two male and two female dancers who, like her, were clad in ominous black, they lit up the stage with their thought-provoking moves, which complemented songs like, Turn Me On, Energy, Run Away and Take Me As I Am.

Jasmine Sullivan, whose set was fairly short, still proved quite a trip for the younger fans, who all but became her choir, matching her vocally on songs such as, Bust Your Windows, Hard Break-up, Lion And Tigers And Bears and If I Could. Her energy level was also exceptional, as she glided around the stage regularly with relative ease.

power of reggae

Prior to the exploits of the R&B stars, the awesome power of reggae music was brilliantly demonstrated, to the absolute delight of the fans, by veteran singer Coco Tea. In a set that was all but flawless, he was like a five-star general taking charge with a performance that evoked memories of the more prominent reggae legends.

It was a case of hit following hit as Coco Tea belted out Babylon Throne, Down in Montego Bay, Good Life, Crying Time and She Loves Me Now, as he delivered generously from his own catalogue and then spiced his offering with, Heal the World, from Michael Jackson's collection; and One Drop from Bob Marley's vault.

Lutan Fyah also came away with a very high mark, demonstrating why he is highly revered in Europe with a classy delivery of St Jago De La Vega, Mightier Than Before, Blood Stain, Informer and Save the Juvenile, which were all greeted with roars of approval from the fans.

reggae classics

The German showband, the Dubtonic Kru, evoked memories of fellow European groups Steel Pulse and Aswad, with their roots-flavoured vocals, which was complemented with rich instrumentals, creating a kind of dub session. Their musical interpretation of reggae classics such as, Black Uhuru's Shine Eye Gal, was quite pleasing.

Morgan Heritage was not as smooth as in former times as the group worked together and then did solo bits through Peter, Gramps and Mr Mojah. Only a fan starved for one of the performances would probably be thrilled by what they delivered.

Hezron and Ras Penco, who were among the early performers, rose to the occasion and left no doubt that they will be among the stars of the not-too-distant future. Hezron was sizzling on, It's been a While, Woman I Love and Born By The River, while Ras Penco was in cruise control with, Thousand Miles Away, and Jungle Out There.

American artiste Ne-Yo was obviously quite pleased with the reaction of the appreciative fans during Friday's night's International Night One at Reggae Sumfest '09 at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, in Montego Bay, based on his broad smile.

Reggae veteran Coco Tea was on a monitor as he reeled off one of his many hits during Friday's night's International Night One at Reggae Sumfest '09 at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, in Montego Bay.

Reggae star Jah Cure and singer Kaheisha getting down to serious business as they combined on the song, 'Call on Me', during Friday's night's International Night One at Reggae Sumfest '09 at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, in Montego Bay.- Photos by Adrian Frater

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com