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Red Stripe Summer Sizzle 2004

Beenie's memorable bash on the beach

It was Beenie Man's birthday celebration, and 'The Doctor' himself brought the curtains down gracefully at the Red Stripe Summer Sizzle at James Bond Beach, last Sunday.

The Doctor enjoyed himself with his relatives and friends as he cut a large cake, transported onstage by four girls in skimpy attire.

If Beenie Man was affected by the recent unwelcome attention he has attracted from gay rights groups who are lobbying to have the deejay's upcoming tour halted and his contract with Virgin Records cancelled, he did not show it.
He delivered an explosive set during which he peformed some of the singles that have drawn the ire of the international gay community. Beenie Man also used the opportunity to introduce R & B singer, Eamon, who could do no wrong.

The audience knew every word of the singer's hit single, Don't Want You Back, leaving Eamon with little to do.
Beenie's set apart, the Red Stripe Summer Sizzle featured performances from a wide-cross section of artistes representing most genres of Jamaican popular music and R&B.

Barrington Levy was simply irresistible.

The "Singing Bird" shone through like a beacon, and had the audience giving loud shouts of approval for his professionalism onstage.

Though Levy performed a shortened set and suffered from a seemingly unprepared aggregation of musicians, the sweet singing troubadour used his vast experience to work the crowd into a frenzy.

Black Roses, On The Intercom, Bad Boy and Murderer were some of the hits Levy used to drive home the point that he is a major star in reggae music. Dressed in a designer vest and shorts suited for the searing heat which descended on the James Bond Beach, Levy earned two encores as the crowd would not let him go. Five times the singer asked in song, "Can I Go Now?'

The answer from the more than 4,000 patrons each time was a resounding "No!"

Alton Ellis and John Holt were also in good nick and represented themselves and the golden era of Jamaican music well.

Admiral Bailey proved once again that he is not a spent force and used professional showmanship to underline his class.

Shocking Vibes artistes Tanto Metro and Devonte paid tribute to their labelmate by delivering a lively stint, while Kirk Davis, formerly known as "Little Kirk", sang the classic Happy Birthday To You.

Turbulence, an entertainer who seems to have not yet realised his true potential, did his cause well on Sunday night. This Rastafarian can sing as well as he can deejay, and onstage he did both, tantalising the audience with his uncompromising lyrics, hitting out at Rastafarians who practice oral sex.

Although veteran deejay Lady Saw has long been recognised as the leading female in dancehall, her fast-rising counterpart Macka Diamond upstaged her.

Revelling in the popularity of her hit single, Done Already, Macka Diamond, who performed just before Lady Saw, brought the women in the house to a frenzy with her suggestive lyrics and gesticulations.

Diamond's stint on stage was laced with expletives and her lyrics bordered on an approval of prostitution but the crowd just loved it and lapped up every ounce hungrily.

Lady Saw entered the stage to wild roars and started with a bang. Using her usual witty remarks and raunchy lyrics the 'queen of dancehall' was good, but not good enough to outdo her rival female entertainer.

To state that Lady Saw did not perform well would be an injustice to the entertainer, but Macka Diamond was better on the night.

Ce'Cile, another female dancehall deejay also came over well. After performing Do It To Me Baby, a song which voices her approval of oral sex, she invited dancehall poet, DYCR, who ironically has made it practice to 'bun out' such activities, to perform a duet with her.

Other performances of note came from a comical Beetle Bailey, the ever-lively pair of Captain Barkey and Wickerman, upcoming singer Bascom X, Mr Lex and Zumjay.

I-Wayne started out well but could have received higher marks if he did not get carried away. He overstayed his welcome on stage and should have left when the going was good. He suffered the indignity of being clapped off stage.

When the smoke cleared after all the sizzling, patrons at James Bond Beach went home happy, no doubt pleased with Beenie and his Shocking Vibes Crew for a memorable party.