Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Chris Blackwell Sr. (left), Betty Delfosse-Ingleton and Chris Blackwell Jr. at Blackwell's New Year's Eve celebratory affair at Golden Eye, Oracabessa, St. Mary. - photo by Chester Francis-Jackson
My daahlings, when it is all said and done, it was and without a doubt the ultimate New Year's Eve party. High-glam and haute-style all rolled into one - it was all about the fabulous!
And little wonder that the host was the venerable Chris Blackwell, international pop-icon and the God-Father of Reggae music with the venue being his internationally renowned Golden Eye Resort, tucked discreetly behind a well fortified wall, gardens and lush vegetation near Oracabessa, in verdantly plush St. Mary.
faultlessly exclusive affair
We are talking the kind of affair that the international paparazzi, rags and tabloids would have given an arm and a leg just to get an invite. We are talking a faultlessly exclusive affair here and nothing but, and with the special guest reportedly being the third richest man in the known world, y'all know we are talking all-that!
Luvs, in the world of international fabulousness, Chris Blackwell needs no introduction. That this pioneering icon of world beat music and iconoclastic style is revered as the Pope of popular culture speaks to his acute awareness of style and the all-important sense of vogue that determines his leadership acumen.
In this respect, Blackwell is not only a master of haute style, he is the pre-eminent trendsetter of the modern era, a status that has seen him unearthing and bringing to the fore such talent as Bob Marley; Millie Small; Grace Jones; plus a host of other international stars and talent that has led to the creation of his Island Records empire. An empire that went on to sire some of South Beach's finest contemporary hotels and hot spots; not to mention Jamaica's leading boutique hotels as are personified by Strawberry Hills; The Caves and Golden Eye; and, of course, his contribution to the development of the Jamaican film industry. The man is a magnet for success!
So little wonder then, that Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder and reportedly the third richest man in the world, should be a pal of Blackwell and that Jamaica would be Allen's preferred haute-destination in which to see in the New Year. Indeed, Jamaica was also Allen's choice to see in 2006, and this he did in Ocho Rios at Evita's Italian Restaurant.
Well that was to see in the year that was. To see in the year that is, the unimaginably wealthy Allen cruised into Jamaican territorial waters just around New Year's Eve, his mega yacht - a floating palace really - (and we mean a modern palace with all the required contemporary accoutrements for civilised living) dropping anchor just off the coast of Oracabessa. The sight of this bastion of fabulous wealth caused quite a stir among visiting international travellers and nationals alike, as they pondered just who was the VIP on board.
pampered lifestyle
Now, if y'all have never been to the fabulous Golden Eye, then indeed, it is something to look forward to as this boutique hotel offers the pampered lifestyle like everybody's business. Located just East of the famed James Bond Beach, it's that kind of a property that if you really have to ask, "how much will it cost?" it really means you can't really afford it, and not just financially but intellectually as well since the service here is beyond compare and some even say "mind boggling"!
Anyway, it was to this pillar of fabness that a critically shortlist of friends and associates of Blackwell were invited to join him and Allen to see in 2007 and for those making the cut, it proved one almighty fine shindig!
For those arriving over land and accessing Golden Eye via the main land entrance, this proved quite an enchanting experience as access to the well fortified boutique resort did so via a meandering driveway that travels through what could easily be described as a mini-rain- forest, the shadows caused by the towering trees and lush vegetation adding the right touch of fabness to an affair that was already reeking of fabness and elan!
Now, at the end of the driveway is a really charming park, where visitors are encouraged to leave their motor vehicles, and follow the trusted guide along a pathway through growth and underbrush, which made that much more fashionably attractive owing to the brown-paper candle-lit bags that emphasised the path.
The path ended in an elevated lounge, overlooking the Bay of Oracabessa, its lower level boasting a dock from which guests were transported in a dinghy across the lagoon separating the Golden Eye Resort from its very own private beach, known interestingly enough, as Low Key Beach! The name is the personification of Blackwell and his fabulous lifestyle as he is characteristically very low-keyed in his approach to life, celebrations and even in his businesses.
It was a beach party and whilst Gucci or Armani were not required ensembles, those designers did appear on the beach and on some fabulous bodies no less!
fabulous beach party
There was no forced revelry here, just a fabulous beach party where there was no attitude and most certainly no drama, and it made for one exciting outing as guests simply got their groove on to the two-man aggregation of Wayne Armond and Richie McDonald, providing some pulsating 60s era reggae and Ska melodies that set the stage for a really cool beach groove. It was only made more so when the Kingston Drummers took to the stage and really began stirring it up with their Afro-Carib-Centric drumming that was beyond entertaining in its scope and capacity and it made a case for a new world beat sound!
Anyway, there was a heavenly intervention at the stroke of midnight as the skies opened and blessed the occasion with a slight drizzle that lasted all of fifteen seconds. But with guests ringing in the New Year, no one paid the intervening drizzle nary a mind and so the partying continued with hugs and kisses and a brief rendition of the traditional Auld Lang Syne, adding just the right touch of the retro, to a haute-fab affair, and my dears, how!!
It was a very chic and happening to do with Chris Blackwell Sr. taking time out to play a game of backgammon with his offspring, Chris Blackwell Jr.; Paul Allen kicked off his moccasins and danced in the sand; Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell was in his ackee; His Worship the Mayor of Port Maria Councillor Bobby Montaque sipped Moet Chandon; the fabulous Betty Delfosse-Ingleton opted for Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin; Robbie Robertson from The Band and crew members from Paul Allen's Octopus got the guests jamming; Award winning songbird Alana from Virgin Records danced to her groove; Dickie Jobson; his cousins, siblings Wayne and Brian Jobson; and their dad, Rudolph Jobson; the absolutely stunning Tobi Phillips looked and was all that. And it was all about the vibes for Richie Sinclair; Jennifer Armond; Roger Brown; Simon Frederick; Amet Osmond; and the lovely Jenny Woods.
