Adrian Frater, News Editor

Deejay Spice performs at the 'Riding West' showcase at the Llandilo Cultural Centre, in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Saturday. - Photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

Moments after closing act Jah Cure ended his performance at Saturday night's 'Riding West' showcase at the Llandilo Cultural Centre, in Savanna-la-Mar, with an impassioned plea for acts of violence against police to cease, the venue was raided by heavily armed police, who searched artistes, patrons and their vehicles.

Prior the invasion by the over 100 denim-clad policemen, armed with M-16 assault rifles, patrons were treated to a show of striking contrast between roots/rock/reggae and hardcore dancehall, courtesy of acts such as Jah Cure, Spice and Busy Signal among others.

Cure in west for first

Jah Cure, who was performing in Westmoreland for the first time since he ended his eight-year prison term, gave patrons what they were longing for in a hit-filled half an hour set, which earned him both an encore and deafening applause against a backdrop of exploding firecrackers.

For the most part, Jah Cure was like a choir master as the audience sang and dance with him as he unleashed hits such as, Longing For, Good Morning Jah, Jah Bless Me, Songs of Freedom, King in this jungle and Run Come Love which collectively earned him his well-deserved encore.

Obviously pleased by the reception he got, the perspiration-drenched Jah Cure then gave an extended encore, which saw him completing, Run Come Love and then unleashing the flashy lyrics of, Hi Hi before closing with the sobering, True Reflection.

If Jah Cure's set was hot, then Busy Signal was simply blazing as he unleashed a barrage of hard-core lyrics, which had the 'thugs' in the crowd in a frenzy, belching out gun-shot type sounds. It was dancehall in all its glory as songs such as, Everybody Busy, Full Clip, Unknown Number, Step Out and The days invaded the night.

All soldiers rise

After briefly accommodating Demarco, who did his hit single, Fallen Soldiers and Bling Dawg, who danced more than he sang, Busy Signal sent the 'thugs' into another frenzy as he belted out, Nah Go A Jail as he vacated the stage.

Spice, the only female artiste in prime time, introduced herself with song in response to Mavado's, Squeeze Breast in which she outlined the things she would do the Gangsta for life if she encountered him. She then repeated a claim she had made about Beenie making sexual advances at her.

With the crowd warming to her, Spice went on to, 'talk the thing dem', launching a full lyrical assault on Beenie Man and his estranged wife D'Angel, poking fun at the 'King of the dancehall' with witty lyrics, which had the crowd screaming in appreciation.

After also bringing the house down with a selection entitled, Hype Up and pop down, Spice was joined briefly by Unicorn. She then returned to poking more fun at her 'Beenie and Angel' before she concluded her set, showing off her singing capabilities on a song entitled, Me Is A Gal.

Ninja Man, who played a short but enterprising stint, was his usual spontaneous self, drawing deafening screams as he reeled off catchy lyrics. In between songs, he took time out to beg the promoters of Guinness Sting to, 'give me somebody fe kill, even if it is friendly.'

Of the other artistes, rising stars Edge Michael and Iyah Blaze once again showed that they are quite capable of holding their own against the established acts. Edge Michael was quite matured and potent as he all but brought the house down with, Rebel With A Cause, High Grade, Hotter Than Hot and Delilah while Iyah Blaze sizzled with, School Youth and

Saturday Night at the movies, which was dine in combination with the group Soul to Soul.

Nesbeth, Jigsy King, Little Hero and Shane O, whose stage antics with female singjay S.K. drew much laughter, basically earned their keep, while the earlier acts such as Justice Merchant, Real Cop and the Vibes Iyata Dancers all help to add flavour to the package.