Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Michael St George (left) and Benjy Myaz - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

With performers from Jamaica, Canada (by way of Jamaica) and the Turks and Caicos Islands, plus snippets from nine-year-old Irish-Italian Margaret and Kadija from England, last Wednesday's 'Contemporary Literature' at Redbones the Blues Café turned out to be an international affair.

After opening poet Emperor's 'Testimony', 'Mission Impossible' and 'Erotica', among others, the Illegal Poet from the Turks and Caicos started out with 'Hip-Hop 101', saying that now "hip-hop has no direction/like a compass without a needle".

Utilising various musical instruments, from the saxophone to the drum, he spoke out against abuse of women to the audience at the New Kingston restaurant. The drummer was the wife-beater ("most times he used his hands to beat on his drums"), the guitarist the controlling partner ("everything he said had strings attached"). There was a cameo from Sage, who observed "they bring I an' I nation/to the edge of annihilation", before the Illegal Poet delivered 'I'm Half Human' directly to a lady seated in front of the stage.

There was another guest, Margaret, doing the humorous 'When Mom Says' to laughter all around.

Wrapped up

Illegal Poet wrapped up with 'Ice Age' ("we're living in frigid times") before Michael St George from Jamaica but living in Canada started with song, lifting his voice into "they thought they could break my spirit, oh no". It was a prelude to stanzas, in which he asked "how far must we bend for you to step over?"

He advised lyrically that "you can't really cure a disease in a fruit/you have to start from the root", rhythmic handclaps starting at his urging.

With Benjy Myaz on guitar, the drum slung around St George's neck came into play as he spoke to globalisation ("It is North American in its metaphors, but it is a global poem," he said).

Voices and instruments

A short call and response had the audience repeating "we're climbing the ladder, the ladder of life", before St George gave an affirmation in 'I Do' ("I do what I do because I see a generation without hope."). Voices and instruments blended as Myaz sang "the Lord is my light and salvation", St George saying "I work hard in the days/and I give Jah praise."

There was a chant from the native Americans of Canada before St George wrapped up with 'The Pending Peace.'

There was a musical contribution from Genius, who sang to the ladies I need you, before Kadija did a poem about Afros to bring July's 'Contemporary Literature' to a close.