Still Black As Cole....and better than ever

Anyone still questioning the future and potential of our indigenous reggae idiom [it means you haven't closely followed this blog :-) ] ought to have found themselves at the North (?) lawn of Devon House on Saturday. On that occasion, not only did female-led sextet Black As Cole reaffirm their status as the pre-eminent new reggae outfit in the land, but there was an added treat.

As the summer afternoon sun warmed up to critical mass (a strong hint of rain), the growing and enthusiastic crowd were treated to a similarly robust showing from

all-woman band Jewelz

an all-female outfit, dubbed Jewelz. Their repertoire on the day was, to my ears, limited to covers, but they were well executed, and spanned the gamut from Bob Marley and Lauren Hill to Chronixx.

That then set the stage for Black As Cole frontwoman Cecile, pleasantly reminiscent of the DapKings leader Sharon Jones and, if anything, even more soulful.With the supporting cast throwing down some irresistible grooves (especially bass player and partner Craig Cole who dished up bass lines that were both thick as mud and yet refined as glass), they took the crowd throu

Black As Cole band from Wellness fest 2012

gh a diverse collection of tunes, from the funky "Lovesick" to the mid-tempo "Maybe" and the socially conscious "Woman". Live music from both groups that well and truly lives up to the tag. A musical prescription that delivered wellness.

The performance was among several features of this year's renewal of the Reve Wellness festival, presented by jewellry and accessories designers Reve jewellery (Teasea and Duane Bennett. A wide range of quality and innovative art and craft items was also available

Art: Majoring in the Majors at Mutual Gallery

MORE than 100 items — including the works of master artists Carl Abrahams, Osmond Watson, Albert Huie, Kapo, and Barrington Watson — go under the gavel on June 5 at the Mutual Gallery in Kingston.

Other artists whose works will be up for sale are Christopher Gonzalez, Hope Brooks, Cecil Cooper, Ras Dizzy, and Donette Zacca.

Gilou Bauer, curator at the Mutual Gallery, dismisses the notion that the auction is being held to clear stock not sold during an exhibition.

She notes that the majority of these pieces come from private collectors. Bauer adds that the auction is another in a series organised by the gallery.

She says some of the previous auctions have been successful, while others have not. This she attributes to timing and the market being targeted.

"We have been working closely with (auctioneer) William Tavares-Finson and have been guided by him in setting prices, as well as the pieces to be auctioned," says Bauer.

The works usually in high demand include those by Abrahams, Huie, Osmond, Barrington Watson, and Kapo. All have pieces in next Wednesday's auction, as well as those by younger talent.

-from the Jamaica Observer

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Masters-for-sale_14365903#ixzz2Ugm4xeP6