Adrian Frater, News Editor
Buju Banton
WESTERN BUREAU:
Ace deejay Buju Banton, in a near flawless display, was at his dazzling best on Saturday night as he sparkled like a well-polished diamond at the 2007 Tru-Juice Rebel Salute, leaving all and sundry in his wake as he stole the spotlight at the Port Kaiser venue in St. Elizabeth.
Except for a near contentious moment when singjay Fanton Mojah tried several times before he succeeded in getting fellow singjay Turbulence, who the stage handlers were blocking, to join him onstage with a little help from MC Elise Kelly and the crowd, the show was good if not great.
While they clearly played second-fiddle to the awesome Buju Banton, acts such as deejay Assassin, songbird Diana King, veteran singer Wayne Wonder, new sensation Etana, Kenyatta Hill, the Abyssinians, Mackie Conscious and the Canadian-based Steel, all delivered exceptional performances.
Hitting centre stage at 2:58 a.m., the lanky Buju Banton, immediately sent the crowd into a singing and dancing frenzy as he opened with Bongo Cart, to which the audience substituted colourful words into the chorus instead of the deejay's lyrics.
With momentum mounting in his favour, Buju skilfully mixed his string of hit songs with biting social commentary, chastising politicians for not developing the country, gunmen for spreading misery and death while reminding the homosexuals that, "a not fgt put Buju pon top."
Commanding best
Left: Kenyatta Hill, son the the late Joseph Hill. Right: King
With the crowd offering as much vocal support as his three female backup singers, Buju was at his commanding best as he belted out songs such as, Talk to Me, Mr. Nine, Hill and Valley and Destiny, among a slew of hits from his vast repertoire. Towards the end of his set Pinchers joined him onstage and together they reeled off, Don and Bandelero.
When Buju exited the stage, a chorus of 'more' erupted from the grounds, forcing the MC to invite Buju back for an encore. He returned and immediately sent the crowd into ecstasy, belting out the popular, Driver and then polished of his set with, Over Me, Bty Rider and Deportee.
While most of the other acts seemed contented to operate in Buju shadow, Diana King decided to go after the glory and did a fabulous job exciting the crowd as she skilfully blended new material with vintage hits. She was in her element as she delivered songs such as So Many Things to Remember, Spanish Town Blues and the mega-hit, Shy Guy.
New sensation Etana and the new lead singer of Culture, Kenyatta Hill (the son of the late Joseph Hill), played excellent sets. Etana had the freshness reminiscent of R&B star India Arie, as she belted out songs such as Jah is First and Nuclear and he showed off her guitar skills. Young Hill evoked pleasant memories of his late father, as in addition to their physical resemblance, he expertly handled songs such as Two Sevens Clash and Conqueror, among others.
Wayne Wonder appeared before Buju and Assassin and came in the same segment with acts such as Wayne Marshall, Chuck Fender, Gregory Isaacs, Ritchie Spice and Taurrus Riley. All rushed through their sets under pressure from stage management.
On another night, acts such as Izinger, Mickey General, Chesidek, Lady G, Hero, Jah Mason, Ritchie Spice and Chuck Fender would probably have merited greater accolades but not even a blazing closing set, which saw Tony Rebel, Beenie Man (who attended in the capacity of a patron when he was called up just before the show ended) and Sugar Minott reeling off a string of hits in the absence of closing act Sanchez, could be remotely be compared to Buju's show-stopping performance.
Patrons dance to some conscious lyrics during Rebel Salute 2007 at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St. Elizabeth, on Saturday, January 13. - photos by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer
