The festival started, for me, with the press conference on Saturday morning, February 16th. Barbara Barabino, promoter, announced that Alpha Blondy, headliner for the next day, was gravely ill with pneumonia and had to cancel his whole tour. Artists for the day’s performances were delayed in their arrivals but would be there for their scheduled performances. So I headed over to the venue to see the opening acts, checking out the wares of the vendors and the great food booths on my way.
A reunion on LA reggae band Idren opened the day’s show with an exciting roots performance. Next was New Dimensions, hailing from Belize, west coast reggae band, Soul Majestic, and Puerto Rican reggae band Cultura Profetica. All performances were strong in their reggae orientation. Rootz Underground performed with a fresh reggae vibe. Look for this young Jamaican band to make their mark on the industry. I really enjoyed their performance.
Collie Buddz delivered a smashingly good set, including “Give Me Love” and the Bob Marley classic “No Woman No Cry.”
Anthony B and Capleton gave very energetic performances. Some of the songs that Anthony got the greatest reception for were “Raid Di Barn” and “Ganja Farmer.” Capleton opened with “That Day Will Come (Small World)” and also performed “Cooyah, Cooyah.”
The very famous “Riddim Twins,” Sly and Robbie opened with their “Taxi Gang” set and then the fabulous Cherine Anderson joined them on stage. Some of the songs she performed were “Redemption Song,” “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” and “No More Trouble.” She invited a young man from the crowd to dance with her onstage, showing us all how to wind up our waists dancehall stylee.
Beenie Man opened with his renowned “Who Am I?” He did a very cute skit telling all the men in the audience how to make love to a woman “real slow” and also sang his “Dude Remix.” He did “Redemption Song” as a tribute to the late, great, Bob Marley.
The press conference started day two with guest appearances by Gentleman, Tarrus Riley and Dean Frazer, Queen Ifrica, Cherine Anderson and Anthony B. It was a wonderful event with many of the artist singing a tune for the press.
Gentleman gave an uplifting performance with songs like, “Dem Gone,” “Superior,” and Send a Prayer.” Hailing from Cologne, Germany, Gentleman speaks perfect patios, to the amazement of the crowd.
Sly and Robbie appeared again, this time with conscious dancehall wonder, Queen Ifrica. A couple of her songs were the ever popular, “Randy” and “Boxers and Stockings.” She filled the stage with beauty and positive vibes.
Anthony B made a return performance also, that thrilled the massive crowd.
Midnite played to a packed crowd that grooved on the masterful musical direction of Ron Benjamin and the great lead vocals by his brother Vaughn. They provided quality roots reggae to the great pleasure of the crowd.
Tarrus Riley played to maximum crowd on Sunday performing his classics, “Stay With You,” “She’s Royal,” ”Lion Paw,” and another tribute to Bob Marley, “Waiting In Vain.” His band included veteran musical director and saxophone player Dean Frazer.
The Cool Ruler, Gregory Isaacs closed night two, opening with “Number One.” All of the audience sang along with this icon of reggae and the crowd went wild when he performed his mega hit and reggae classic, “Night Nurse.”
Exhausted from dancing and taking photos I left fulfilled with the great positive vibe that this event creates. This is one of the biggest reggae festivals on the west coast and has survived for 27 years bringing us the best in new and established reggae artists from around the world. A” big up” to Moss Jacobs Presents and Ragga Muffins Productions, Barbara Barabino for bringing us this festival year after year without fail. It is an event all of us in Southern California look forward to.
