Veteran reggae singer Coco Tea took the resort town of Negril by storm on Saturday night, dazzling patrons at the 20th Bob Marley Birthday Bash with a brilliant performance, which left the appreciative patrons at the scenic MXIII Lawn consumed with musical satisfaction.
In fact, when Coco Tea left the stage, the elated fans did not even seem to realise that Jah Cure, who was billed as the headline act for the show, did not show as they poured out of the venue, obviously quite pleased with what they had just witnessed.
Had House of Leeds’ dazzling singjay Iyahblazze, who preceded Coco Tea to the stage, not reported in top form and deli-vered a peach of a performance, which earned him a most deserved encore, the raging Coco Tea would have totally over-shadowed all and sundry.
Taking centre stage at 1:50 a.m., clad in an immaculate khaki outfit with red, green and gold trimmings, the diminutive Coco Tea immediately took charge, sending the patrons in a dancing frenzy with Babylon Throne, and impressive covers of Bob Marley’s Zimbabwe and Waiting in Vain.
Dancing audience
With the audience, which was dominated by tourists, warming to him and seemingly trapped in a dancing frenzy, Coco Tea lifted the tempo almost effortlessly, reeling off Rikers Island, She Love Me Now, Good Life and Sonia against a backdrop of screams of appreciation.
Coco Tea took a short break from his singing to scold the ‘rent a dreads’ in the audience, accusing them shamelessly selling themselves and in the process, seeking to spoil the vacations of some decent visiting husbands and wives with their freaky sexual advances.
After ‘burning out’ the ‘rent a dreads’, Coca Tea all but brought the house down, setting the stage for his encore with songs like Hurry Up, Stand Up Straight, Tune In and the ever-popular 18 and Over. In fact, had the police not insisted that the cut-off time be adhered to, he seemed all ready to sing until daybreak.
After his performance, Coco Tea was presented with a commemorative plaque by promoter Cecil ‘Cubba’ Pringle for his contribution to the growth and development of Jamaica’s music.
Prior to Coco Tea’s exploits, the fans were treated to a blazing set by a militant Iyahblazze, who matched his eye-catching black outfit with his equally catchy lyrics. The bulky Boboshanti was in his elements, especially on songs like his cover of Bob Marley’s Rastaman Chant, Prayer, What If, Heart Fe De Poor and Woman.
Ecstatic fans
Iyahblazze hit the proverbial roof when he drew the song, Rasta, which had the fans going wild and screaming for more. When he was called on for an encore, Iyahblazze sealed his set with a thought-provoking song entitled, Patience, which left no doubt about his vocal power.
Canadian jazz singer Robin Banks, who performed only reggae songs in her set, offered an insight into her undeniable class. After initially connecting with her song Why? a tribute to Negril resident, the late Mikey Hill, who was killed in a controversial police shooting, she simply exploded.
It was all vocal styling of the highest order as Banks unleashed covers of Bob Marley’s Waiting In Vain and Stir It Up; and Barrington Levy’s Too Experienced, among other popular Jamaican classics.
Veteran singer Allie C, who performed early, earned an encore; MC turned singer Mega Watt, who showed impressive vocal qualities; the Star Singers, who displayed much confidence in reeling off their original songs, all made impressive marks. In fact, the only weak link was Jah Meekie, who struggled to connect with the fans.
