Keisha Patterson performs during her album launch, held at Weekenz, last Wednesday. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

Keisha Patterson extended an undulated arm with a white half-glove on her first time around onstage at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road, St Andrew, last Wednesday night, a matching hat at a jaunty angle on her head.

The hemline of her red dress bounced as she bopped more in reggae style, dark glasses over her eyes, her second time onstage at the launch of her excellent debut album, Sunday Kind Of Love.

And the third time around, when the audience - which had waited long for the launch to begin - really warmed to Patterson, she swayed in a tri-colour dress, eyes closed, as she hit and held one particular note which elicited cheers.

Reggae-based album

The audience had showed its appreciation after each song, among them Heaven (Cheek to Cheek) and Cry Me A River, dancers adding flair at points. Not that Patterson was not moving very well herself, a 'funtastic' personality showing as she danced merrily.

The album, produced by guitarist Dalton Browne for Busy Bee Productions, also includes What A Difference, Fever, Summertime, Misty, Again, At Last and, of course, the title track. All are given a reggae-based interpretation and last Wednesday night, a large band (including two keyboard players, two guitarists and a three-man horn section) was required to deliver a sound true to the recording.

Patterson's youth belied the vintage of the songs on her album and Winston Blake of Merritone, the first speaker of the night, pointed out that she has done a set of standards and hence, Sunday Kind Of Love will last. He also noted that she is a member of the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates. Singer Freddie McGregor, with whom Patterson has toured extensively, expressed his delight for and confidence in Patterson, Jamaica Federation of Musicians president Desmond Young adding his ringing endorsement.

Dream realised

At one point, Patterson chuckled as she remarked that she does listen to pop music, but pointed out her early musical exposure to the 'standards' by her parents. And she mused that when she was listening to Johnny Matthis, she never dreamt that one day she would be doing over his music.

Her parents were there, her father especially dancing away, to see and hear the result of their musical influence, in smiling, dancing, singing colour at Weekenz last Wednesday night.

MC for the launch was Markland Edwards.