Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer

Dub poet Judith Jarrett performs 'Mama love' during the Reconciliation Roman Catholic Church's 'A Night of Excellence on Friday. - Photo by Anthony Minott

The car park of the Reconciliation Roman Catholic Church in Bridgeport, Portmore, was transformed into a place of worship when a mix of gospel artistes, percussionists, saxophonists, and a dub poet gave it their all.

When two young men, Mr. CMJ (Cover me Jesus) and DJ Nana, came onstage spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through reggae, they lifted the temperature of the atmosphere to fever pitch.

Mr. CMJ, armed with an anointing spirit, spread the 'blessing' that was over his life on the audience and called on his colleague DJ Nana who obliged with Jesus Party which was a lively tune enhanced by the audience's input, as many raised their arms shouting "Jesus"! along with the DJ.

Meanwhile, Jody Mowatt was unusually early on the line-up but she did not disappoint, pelting out hit after hit on an audience that was more on the reserved side. But when she moved into the high tempo selection Rock My Soul, the audience suddenly came to life. she followed it with Unconditional love before closing with Precious Lamb of God. She, however, paused to testify about the goodness of God. She professed that she lived as a Rastafarian for 22 years and honestly believed that former African Emperor Haile Sellassi was God, but after learning to lean on the Almighty for strength she was able to 'go back with this new living' and spread the goodness of the Lord. Other selections on her set comprised of Revival, Thank you Lord and Knocking on Heavens Door.

Sensational moments

A thrilling Dean Fraser, renowned saxophonist, was third to last on the bill. Fraser's selections included Jesus Loves Me, I Believe and the late Luther Vandross' Dance With My Father. On his first selection, Fraser called onstage solo artiste Dwisdom the female singer that in the 1990s made Jamaicans fall in love all over again with the original hit My First Real Love. Dwisdom touched a piece of Jesus Loves Me with Fraser harmonising close by and went solo on If there's a song.

African flavour

Emmanuel Apostolic Church located in Naggo Head gave praises unto their messiah with What If and showed solace with Secret Place, while international percussionist Alphanso Craig along with Edwin Ferguson who joined him on the drums, and dub poet Judith Jarrett gave the event the African flavour. Jarrett performed the dub poem Mama Love and Craig and Ferguson drummed the tune Africa Unite.

Master drummer Supersad, from the Akawaba drummers did a drumming medley, including 'Our Father' and Oh What A Wonderful World.

When MC for the night Gillian Turnbull, who worked alongside UWI lecturer Dr. Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart, called the group To-Isis onstage, it signalled the last performance of the night in what was a good production. The group shone brightly with a plethora of hits.