Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Members of the Tuff Tuff Triangle on the cover of their CD 'Urban Journey', which was launched at the Weekenz Bistro and Bar, Constant Spring Road, on Tuesday night. - CONTRIBUTED
WESTERN BUREAU:
AN URBAN journey made a stop at the Weekenz Bistro and Bar on Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew, on Tuesday night.
The Tuff Tuff Triangle poetry outfit launched their debut album, Urban Journey, to a substantial audience and to the music of the Airplai Band.
They had a poetic helping hand from the Royal African Soldiers of Ras Takura, Ginsu and Neto, Marsha (who now goes by the name I Nubia), Lynch and Sage from LSX, as well as the segment's host, Duane Francis.
After a break, in which Mutabaruka spun a couple techno remixes of Bob Marley hits, Ayunda got the night's official proceedings going with a rapid-fire hailing of Haile Selassie-I, then hailed the women with Hi Ms. Good Lookin'.
SOME DIVERSITY
Charm showed some of the diversity of the Triangle by singing his self-definition 'I'm a rebel/so honourable/son of the Most High'.
There were cheers at the introduction of Steppa, whose voice was very strong as he declared "I'm a medical doctor!" and proceeded to prescribe the cures for NAFTA's ills, among others.
He stepped hard on stage and stooped at points for One Blood Inna We Vein and Division and Subtraction.
Akinsanya hailed all with black love, then poetically criticised the one who "bleach the melanin out of her skin". He went dub-wise in stating Roun' Table Talk Not The Solution, then sent a poem to the drum with "I never beat her/I play her ... rippling fingertips/caressing skin".
'DREAM AS I DREAM'
Clement Hamilton, who is also marshals the Triangle's affairs, brought a calm style to the evening, expressing the hope that "our children will never dream to see the dawn/it will always be on them", inviting all to "dream as I dream".
He was joined by singer Blackground in expressing the importance of one.
I-Sense was active on stage in comparing the ills of the rich with the poor, then expressing his attraction for the 'girl next door'.
WRITE A POEM
There was also anther lady in his poetic eyesight, this one in Cross Roads waiting for "taxi to New Kingston and Trafalgar".
And N'kusi Gayle wrapped up the performances with the advice Go Home To Yu Madda, before Hamilton invited all the urban 'journeyers' back on stage and bade farewell with "If there is anything left to say, write a poem and say it for us."
