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Saturday 5th, January 2008 - This was the date of the most widely advertised and highly anticipated concert to jump start Carnival 2008: Temperature. The event took place at King George V Park in St. Clair, Port of Spain and featured Soca superstar Machel Montano teaming up with Jamaican dancehall sensation Sean Paul.

The temperature earlier on that night was very cool with a forecast that was fair to fine with no scatter showers, however lurking in the horizon was the imminent explosion of heat waiting to be released. On arriving at the venue cars littered the side of every street or any free space available, quickly indicating the size of the crowd attending the fete. The TJJ crew reached in the party fashionably late, normal Trini time nah, you know how it is! However, the promoters of the concert were not working by Trini time as by the time we reach inside the party at about 11:45pm, Peter C. Lewis and his new band The Orchestra was finished performing and the VIP area was almost rammed out already.

From the reviews of other crew members (reliable sources) who were present for the Orchestra’s performance, Peter C. and the guys did put on a very formidable debut performance. Singing with new band was Terry Seales, who from what I understand increased the temperature a bit with his C2K8 hit “Think It Over”. Digicel rising star runner up, Justin Cross, also performed along side the band to the delight of the ladies it was reported. Synergy’s 2007 Soca Star Umi Marcano also heated up the place with latest hit “Turn It Around”. It was also understood that Peter C. now a veteran in the business had the crowd on fire with his latest C2K8 hit “Over & Over”.

Just after midnight, one of the night's featured performers, Grammy Award winner dancehall star Sean Paul took the stage to the delight of the many patrons (yuh done know how them women was screaming). Sean Paul did increase the temperature delivering his ever popular hit songs such as “Gimme The Light”, “Deport Them”, “Get Busy”, “Hot Sexy Punkie”, “We Be Burning” and the theme song “Temperature”, which had the enthusiastic crowd singing along. Sean Paul was joined on stage by his two hype men and some female dancers, who all added to raising the heat during his performance. The dancers alone had many fellahs heated...... myself included!! ;-)

After Sean Paul's performance the DJ took over playing some big selections of both old and current Soca tracks. While the crowd was gearing up themselves for Mr. HD himself, Machel Montano, it was evident that something was heating up in the VIP and it was not the temperature, but peeved VIP patrons visibly upset with the ‘stress’ at the bar and the ridiculously long lines to get a piece of bake & shark. Ah tell yuh it was a good thing that I still had some stocks at home from Christmas and indulged myself a bit before heading down there.... because ‘talk bout pressure!” But no scene, at least we were being entertained and not too mention being totally taken aback by the number of beautiful, sexy ladies that were at the concert. Every time we always have to say this, BUT Trinidad really have SWEET ladies boy .... WOW! Anyway let me try not to study it too much... I might get a little too excited! Hehe.

So back to the show.... after the DJ hot up the place a bit the man everyone was waiting for the undisputed king of Soca Machel Montano took the stage at about 2 AM and immediately sent the crowd into a frenzy. The thing really started to get heated then. Machel Montano HD lived up to all expectations unleashing an arsenal of his hits with last year’s Road March, "Jumbie" sending the now huge crowd into sheer ecstasy. He also released his new tune, “Blazin D Trail", which definitely has Road March potential. Flames blazed from both sides of the stage, and fire works and confetti blasted through the St. Clair skies as Machel got the fans familiar with the new dance for the song. Machel was joined on stage by the ever beautiful and talented Patrice Roberts who also gave a stunning performance to a most appreciative audience. Benjai and Farmer Nappy also held their own with Nappy's “Chippin'” becoming more and more of a crowd favourite. Ricky T from St. Lucia also joined the HD band on stage and mashed up the place with his still current hit "Pressure Boom".

KMC and his band Red, White and Black performed for a short while after Machel’s performance, however most patrons had already begun leaving the party. At the end of it all Sean Paul's performance was a mere lukewarm when compared to Machel’s explosive performance. Machel displayed the reason why he sells out shows all over the world and can be classed as one of the best stage performers ever to come from the Caribbean.

Peace out.
Yuh boy Markey for de TJJ Fam