Beres Hammond (left) chats with John Holt on Tuesday night at the launch of Hammond's concert, A Moment in Time, at Harmony House recording studio on Dumbarton Avenue. The concert will be held on December 28 at the National Stadium's grandstand.

Two 'Moments' - one, an album released on November 11 and the other, an event slated for December 28 at the National Stadium's grandstand, were officially launched on the grounds of Harmony House on Tuesday night.

Both moments surround one man and when Beres Hammond walked onto the stage at his Burlington Avenue, St Andrew, production house, there was applause and shouts of "the boss" from the large gathering.

And, throughout an evening when the accolades for the man and his 'moments' were consistent and overflowing, a phrase from another kind of Jamaican singer and songwriter was repeated by those who spoke about the upcoming event and Hammond himself - "so special, so special, so special".

No performers confirmed

But while the album is a known quantity, the only performer confirmed for the event is Hammond himself, with John Holt letting slip that he will also perform in a humorous moment. As Martin Lewis of Team Solutions said, referring to Beres Hammond's hit Rock Away, "Beres will present some of his favourite music and his favourite artistes from Jamaica and abroad".

The moments for the album, A Moment in Time, were relatively brief, as only Kristy Barber of VP Records spoke extensively about the 16-song set, saying that "this time around he is talking about some things that you might not be used to. It just shows you his range of songwriting."

"It's one of the best records we have put out in a long time and it is definitely my favourite of the year," Barber said.

'So special'

Bobby Chantrelle of Team Solutions was the first of many to use the 'so special' phrase, and repeatedly at that. He took the audience through the decision to do 'A Moment in Time', (first staged last year at the National Indoor Sports Centre), again, due to demand, despite the original intention to stage the event only once.

"We will have what we consider the largest stage ever set up in Jamaica ... If last year was good, this year is going to overshadow last year as if it wasn't even trying," Chantrelle said.

Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, sang Hammond's praises, saying "he is a true legend".

She complimented Hammond on using the National Stadium grandstand, adding "I am committed to finding a way to have a beautiful concert hall in Jamaica". She said she has a design and a location and suggested that the entertainment industry help in raising the funds required to build it.

A beaming Hammond, who invited Dr Omar Davies on stage from the audience, said that he had been thinking about a speech and had come up with nothing. "All I want to say is thank you for December 30 last year ... Jamaican people always rise to the occasion. Me love oonu fe dat".

Humorous moment

He left some of the talking to U-Roy and John Holt, who were among those seated in armchairs on the stage, the humorous moment coming with Holt's slip and the 'subsequent' shushing.

"Once again, it is just love and thank you," Hammond closed.

The 'momentous' launch was hosted by Denise Miller. Sponsors of the December 28th event are the RJR Group, Scotiabank, Ting, Phase 3, The Gleaner and VP Records.

Luciano (left) greets Courtney 'Yogi' John (right) as Glenroy 'Babadee' looks on at the launch of Beres Hammond's concert on Tuesday night. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer