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KEVIN JACKSON, Observer writer
Friday, September 07, 2007
Munga Honourable performing at the Irie Jamboree music festival in New York.
The 2007 installment of Irie Jamboree, North America's premier reggae festival, proved to be another spectacular affair for the more than 30,000 music lovers who converged on the Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, New York to see international acts like Steven Marley, Jr Gong, Morgan Heritage, Lady Saw, Munga Honourable, Beenie Man, Anthony B, Assassin and Tony Matterhorn.
When the curtain fell at 10:45 pm, Morgan Heritage was deemed by many to have delivered the best performance of the event. The Jamaica-based, New York-born group proved a force to be reckoned with, delivering classic hits like Don't Have Fe Dread To Be Rasta, Tell Me How Come, Down By The River, People Are Fighting, Set Yourself Free, Protect Us Jah and their current hit, Brooklyn & Jamaica, that left fans in a frenzy.
When Lady Saw pranced on stage, the audience roared in anticipation. The legendary dancehall diva showed restraint in her choice of music but still earned a positive reception from fans. The high point of her set came when she called on her friend, Movado, who had lighters flashing and flags waving, with his current hit Wha Dem A Do.
D'Aville worked the audience with his charm and had the women tumbling over themselves with On My Mind, Can't Get Over You, This Time I Promise and So I'll Wait For You, which was originally recorded by Freddy McGregor.
Macka Diamond in performance at the Irie Jamboree music festival in New York.
The 'Doctor', Beenieman, came out roaring like an 'Old Dog' but was not able to duplicate his spectacular Sumfest performance. Luciano never fully connected with the legion of fans. Assassin's performance was lively and certainly one of the best I have seen. Macka Diamond was impressive. Mr Vegas and Mr Easy represented well. However, the artiste New Yorkers gave a hero's welcome was Tony Matterhorn. Performing in a specially-made alien suit and sounding as crisp as ever, the deejay engaged fans with Dutty Wine, Goodas Fe Dem and earned kudos from the massive with some of his other selections. Aside from a few risqué numbers, which were not quite appropriate for a family event, the 'Man From Mars' left on a musical high.
The original fireman, Anthony B, came with his ball of fire and delivered a spirited, high energy, fun-filled performance. Munga Honourable, who was making his first major appearance in New York, was one of the stand-out acts of the event. The Gangsta Ras ruled the stage with popular hits like Bad From Mi Born, Wine Pon It, Bad Like I, and Not At All, which were all delivered with passion and precision.
Several young, upcoming acts left an impressive mark at Irie Jamboree. Leading the charge were Etana, who proved she will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future, Jovi Rockwell, One Third, New York-based Empress Isis, Ras David, Ras Penco, Hench Man, and Lady Ann, who all performed in the opening 'Give De Youth A Buss' segment.
The festival climaxed with Stephen Marley, who delivered songs from his debut album Mind Control. Midway his set he was joined by his younger brother, Jr Gong, for what proved the highlight of his performance. It was two years ago that the young 'Gong' delivered a stellar performance at this same venue. This year he was restrained but still stamped his authority with Welcome to Jamrock.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Munga Honourable performing at the Irie Jamboree music festival in New York.
The 2007 installment of Irie Jamboree, North America's premier reggae festival, proved to be another spectacular affair for the more than 30,000 music lovers who converged on the Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, New York to see international acts like Steven Marley, Jr Gong, Morgan Heritage, Lady Saw, Munga Honourable, Beenie Man, Anthony B, Assassin and Tony Matterhorn.
When the curtain fell at 10:45 pm, Morgan Heritage was deemed by many to have delivered the best performance of the event. The Jamaica-based, New York-born group proved a force to be reckoned with, delivering classic hits like Don't Have Fe Dread To Be Rasta, Tell Me How Come, Down By The River, People Are Fighting, Set Yourself Free, Protect Us Jah and their current hit, Brooklyn & Jamaica, that left fans in a frenzy.
When Lady Saw pranced on stage, the audience roared in anticipation. The legendary dancehall diva showed restraint in her choice of music but still earned a positive reception from fans. The high point of her set came when she called on her friend, Movado, who had lighters flashing and flags waving, with his current hit Wha Dem A Do.
D'Aville worked the audience with his charm and had the women tumbling over themselves with On My Mind, Can't Get Over You, This Time I Promise and So I'll Wait For You, which was originally recorded by Freddy McGregor.
Macka Diamond in performance at the Irie Jamboree music festival in New York.
The 'Doctor', Beenieman, came out roaring like an 'Old Dog' but was not able to duplicate his spectacular Sumfest performance. Luciano never fully connected with the legion of fans. Assassin's performance was lively and certainly one of the best I have seen. Macka Diamond was impressive. Mr Vegas and Mr Easy represented well. However, the artiste New Yorkers gave a hero's welcome was Tony Matterhorn. Performing in a specially-made alien suit and sounding as crisp as ever, the deejay engaged fans with Dutty Wine, Goodas Fe Dem and earned kudos from the massive with some of his other selections. Aside from a few risqué numbers, which were not quite appropriate for a family event, the 'Man From Mars' left on a musical high.
The original fireman, Anthony B, came with his ball of fire and delivered a spirited, high energy, fun-filled performance. Munga Honourable, who was making his first major appearance in New York, was one of the stand-out acts of the event. The Gangsta Ras ruled the stage with popular hits like Bad From Mi Born, Wine Pon It, Bad Like I, and Not At All, which were all delivered with passion and precision.
Several young, upcoming acts left an impressive mark at Irie Jamboree. Leading the charge were Etana, who proved she will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future, Jovi Rockwell, One Third, New York-based Empress Isis, Ras David, Ras Penco, Hench Man, and Lady Ann, who all performed in the opening 'Give De Youth A Buss' segment.
The festival climaxed with Stephen Marley, who delivered songs from his debut album Mind Control. Midway his set he was joined by his younger brother, Jr Gong, for what proved the highlight of his performance. It was two years ago that the young 'Gong' delivered a stellar performance at this same venue. This year he was restrained but still stamped his authority with Welcome to Jamrock.