Monday, October 27 - Last night we traveled from Brooklyn, out to Elizabeth New Jersey. What was the occasion you ask? G-City was having his annual mid autumn dancehall reggae concert. Last year was big with Mr. Vegas & Barrington Levy leading the pack on an impressive line-up. 2008 found Mavado & Buju Banton as the headline acts and you know we couldn’t miss the opportunity to party with our Jersey neighbors.

We got to the venue at 8:30pm and let me tell you that the police presents was massive. They were everywhere, in uniform and plain clothes. I guess a strong show of force makes people feel safe! Anyway!!! .

We got into the venue just in time for special guess Erupt to mash down the place with “Run Mi Head” and then with the club banger “Click Mi Finger”. He performed well and the audience acknowledged his performance with gun finger forwards.

It’s now time for the “Gully Gad” aka Mavado. He took the stage at 10pm with the Anger Management Band providing the live instrumentals. The performance was routine with Mavado touching a portion of his monster catalogue including hits such as “Don’t Wory”, “Don’t Cry”, “Last Night”, “Touch Di Road”, “Amazing Grace”, “On The Rock” and finally exiting the stage with “I’m So Special” . Mavado did not address the on going lyrical conflict with Vybez Kartel.

The crowd enjoyed his performance but they weren't overwhelmed. Not be critical but mi haffi to talk di things. First, the band was not mixing him down on right. Second, his background vocals were over powering, you could not differentiate if he was singing or lip-sinking at times. Third, he did have get command of the stage or the massive audience which came wanting to hang on his every word. If it wasn’t for these short comings Mavado would have left the Ritz Theater in a frenzy.

Buju Banton took the stage at 10:55pm and ran through a bag of tunes to the audience delight. He marched through the early hits from his “Voice Of Jamaica” & “Mr Mention” albums, then he migrated to the “Til Shilo” & “Inna Heights” catalogue before bringing it up to the time with his massive hit “Driva”. Buju reasoned with the “The Ritz Theater” and they lived on his every movement and song word for word as he performed. Buju brought the event to a dazzling close and demonstrated once again why he is a dancehall reggae legend.

Big to G-City for putting on another excellent show, the security was tight and the audience were well behaved. Ms. Raine, thanks for looking out as usual. Shotta Elliot and the Jersey massive you big! Young Magaic bka Jigga Man you large! Keep safe all!

And if y'all are looking for pictures, you will have to go some place else because I lost my camera at the event. Who ever found it take care and appreciate it because it meant a lot to me.

Story By Dilinjah

Another Prospective REGGAE AT THE RITZ THEATER

The Ritz Theatre was surely full of hits last night Sunday October 26th 2008. Being the first reggae event at the 143-yr-old theatre, and a regular Sunday with work for many the next day, the turn out was quite impressive. I guess that was a no-brainer since it was the Gully Gad and The Gargamel himself headlining the show.

The ting didn’t start till around 9:30, and the beginning of the concert found me still in line waiting to get some power juice (i.e. Beer/Hennessey). Surprisingly there was a special guess, good looking G-City. Erupt started off de ting and energized the audience instantly. He came out and did his thing! His performance was good; I definitely endorse his stage presence. Erupt dazzled the crowd with his yesteryear hit “Run Dem Head” , then he Deejayed a couple of his tunes in a medleys fashion, and hit a home run with the Club Banger “Click Mi Finga” .

Soon after none other than Mr. Anywaaaaay…. Mr, Gangsta For Life, The Gully Gad himself Mavado embraced the stage. Yes man! The artist had command, spewing his girls’ tunes one after another to the live riddims played impeccably by the Anger Managament band. He represented for all the chicas in house. So, how it was time to get into his gangsta portion of his catalogue drawing numbers like “Chiney K”, “Bleaching Cream”, “Touch Di Road”, “Amazing grace”, “Last Night”, “Don’t Worry, “Don’t Cry”, “On The Rock”, and finally exiting with his current crossover hit “I’m So Special” , with the crowd still bawling and hoping for an encore. But that was it folks… Mavado has left the building, and yes he did entertain for sure!!

After the band switch, and some mic test with a local artist, it was none other than Gargamel, Buju Banton, roaring in with his hit “Over Me” and following it up with many of his 90s classics hits. The crowd gave their affirmation with screams and gun fingers salutes! I had thought a peak was reached with Mavado’s performance but Buju surpassed it easily. Buju took everything to a next level, singing sweet melodies for the ladies, chanting conscious vibes for the rasta hi-dren dem and of course showing scoutsmanship with the down and dirty by slinging some of his hardcore dancehall anthems! The man is a dancehall legend! He had the stage organized with melodious back-up singers and an energetic live band, which seemed to enjoy the show so much and played enthusiastically like it was their last time playing their addictive instruments. Finally, the “DriverA” was here and it was time to return back to Earth from the heavens he had us in.

The Ritz Theater look magnificent and the sounds were crisp and rich. NO disappointments, at all. But the bartenders should have drank some red bull and fly out orders a-little faster, but otherwise all did criss and merry! Big up Jigsy! Longtime… And it was good having you around. Shakey Don! You know yuh still the godfather inna dis! Mi yutes dem Leakey & Ital Kobi, yuh large!! Till next time this yah bredrin Elliott signing off… likkle more!!

By Shotta Elliott

---