Marking Milestones with Muzik

"Cut to  the quick/

deception was the tool/

performers poured music in the wound/...

Throwing off sparks/

bringing this Frankenstein/

skanking to life/

and ready to face the dawn/"

- "Rebel Love Revival" (excerpt)

c2009

Fifty years of political independence.

A half-century of existence for Founder/Production Chief Patrick "Tony Rebel" Barrett.

Almost two decades of successful and critically acclaimed stagings of Rebel Salute.

There was much to celebrate inside the ballroom of the Wyndham Kingston Tuesday night last and the invited musical guests proved more than nable to get the crowd of media, sponsors' reps, music fraternity and general well-wishers to appreciate the magnitude - and dynamism - of the occasion.

Battle of the Bands 2012 Jamaica finalists Raging Fyah overcame the first of the night's persistent sound glitches to deliver a rousing rendition of "Judgement Day" from their still growing repertoire. They would return in even finer form at the end of the night with "Far Away" and "Can't Run From Yourself". Similarly C-Sharp, still on a roll from their excellent CD release concert for "The Invitation" took their now trademark tight musicianship and audience rapport to even greater levels with a flawless delivery of "Reggae My Song".

In between those musical tentpoles, there were stirring comments from members of the head table, product pacakge giveaways from the sponsors and more scintillating musical stints, all guided with poise and relaxed wit by emcee Lady Renae. Ibamar, trombonist/vocalist Pesso, "basso profundo" Mikey Spice and veteran Edi "The Gun" Fitzroy all gave encouraging hints of things to come.

He didn't perform, but the "boss" Tony Rebel made another impassioned plea for more support for roots reggae, both from corporate circles and the media, a pleas supported - at least vocally - by his head table colleagues.

At night's end, with Pepsi and meatless cocktails awaiting eventgoers, the impression was distinctly left that Jamaica's globally revered musical brand was in good hands on the advent of the Golden Anniversary, and  iwth the promise of new chapters to be written - and sung.

Pool Guys: Hotels seek to make splash with weeknight entertainment

At the two major hotels on the capital's Knutsford Strip, those seeking a late evening poolside recharge with food, drink and music are being well catered for.  At the Wyndham,  patrons who navigated the craft stall could hear the sound of 2010 Battle of the Bands finalists, Macca Tree Band
 delved into the Jamaican songbook, serving up ska and reggae hits. Down the road, at the Pegasus, guitar ace, Rupert Bent Snr got things started with the aid of his computer, smartly accompanying tracks that included the obligatory Bob Marley, but also pop/r&b gems like James Ingram's "One Hundred Ways" and Earth Wind And Fire's "After The Love is Gone".

He would later be joined by accompanists Othniel "Ottey" Lewis on keys, Dale Brown on bass and drummer Chris Tyrell, the latter having just returned from a European stint with Jimmy Cliff. Australia is next on the agenda for Tyrell, who's also pursuing some production and personal recording projects. EW&F returned to the lineup, this time with "September" and there was more reggae in the form of Third World's take on the OJays chestnut, "Now That We've Found Love".

The two venue join a number of smaller haunts in and around Kingston that are spurring the beginnings of a live music renaissance for the capital, one some three or four years in the making, but still in need of serious support, attention and investment.