DJ Crazy Chris at the controls during last Saturday night's 'Off Tha Wall' retro party.

WESTERN BUREAU:

As the half moon shone from the partially cloudy sky over the scenic Pier One complex in Montego Bay, last Saturday night, musical ecstasy ruled supreme as the bi-annual 'Off Tha Wall' retro party unfolded in a blaze of absolute glory.

With middle-age revellers dominating the large throng of partygoers, it was like a series of past student meetings going on simultaneously, as there was as much meeting and greeting as there was dancing in the early hours. However, as the night progressed, non-stop dancing took centre stage.

Unlike the norm in today's parties where men are regularly seen dancing together as if involved in a dance contest and the women are either watching or doing the same, last Saturday night gave meaning to Beres Hammond's song I Feel Good, as men and women were mostly wrapped up in each other's arms, seemingly rolling back the clock.

From as early as 11:30 p.m. when DJ Turbo (promoter Nash Lawson) took to the turntables to get the proceedings under way, it was clear that something special was about to happen. Those persons who were hanging out on the outside quickly entered the venue.

As DJ Turbo began to evoke memories of his heyday as the top selector at once popular venues such as Pier One, Club WOW and Disco Inferno, the party quickly came to life as ska, rocksteady and early dancehall hits resonated with the patrons.

As the midnight hour came and went, the outer perimeter of the venue - where the bars were located - quickly became jam-packed as dancing couples quietly moved away from the disco lights flickering down on the centre of the lawn and opted for the more intimate shadows of the nearby almond trees.

While wrapped up in their world, the dancing couples remained totally attached to the party as when DJ Crazy Chris took over the turntables from DJ Turbo and asked, "Party people are you ready?"

There was an overwhelming "yesssssss" from all corners of the lawn.

Tempo lifted

These female patrons were clearly having a ball at last Saturday night's 'Off Tha Wall' retro party at the Pier One complex in Montego Bay. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Crazy Chris lifted the tempo as his selections were primarily reggae flavoured with old party favourites from the likes of Shabba Ranks, Barrington Levy, Pinchers, Coco Tea and veteran deejays U-Roy, Big Youth and Lone Ranger, among others.

While most of the patrons ignored the video cameras roving the lawn, at least one middle-age woman decided to use the attention to add another dimension to her pursuit of happiness. With the assistance of several willing male patrons, she gave a graphic, but still in good taste, exhibition of rub-a-dub at its best. Her performance was such that other patrons temporarily took a break from their dance to watch her.

When the clock struck 3 a.m, the party fever was absolutely bubbling as DJ Marvin of FAME FM took the control. By then, the younger members of the crowd had apparently caught on with the happenings and young men were dancing with older women and older men with younger women.

Finding a receptive audience at his disposal, DJ Marvin stamped his class with his musical selection from all genres as the patrons reacted with much glee to his selection. He was later joined by both DJs Turbo and Crazy Chris and together they lifted the party to cloud nine. By then, perspiration and liquor were flowing freely.

When the fans began leaving the venue with the first ray of sunlight peeping over the horizon, there were seemingly more happy faces than tired ones - Off Tha Wall was indeed a blast.