It was Indian Arrival Day in sweet T&T. I was coming from the second installment of T&T Fashion Week at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (view coverage), when I saw a white limo parked at the hotel's entrance, with posters of "I Am legend II" on the windows, a sign of things to come. After hitting a few hot spots, I was on my way to the concert.

Upon entering the venue Peter C. & The Orchestra were just about rapping up their set on stage with General Grant, Super Child, Justin Cross and the whole crew. After that, Ziggy Ranking made his way to the fore. He was followed by a crew from Tempo television how were doing a behind the scene special. Ziggy always one to sooth the ladies with his melodic voice, did just that, and came with a strong message as well.

On my foray around the venue, I noticed that everything was strategically placed for ease of access for the partygoers: from the food tents, where you could have gotten your bake and shark, to the drinks etc. One thing stood out to me in the VVIP section, where there were bathroom facilities provided by S.W.M.C.O.L, there were attendants just outside waiting to clean and replace the accessories as soon as the people came out. Service was not speared in the VVIP area.

Photos By Peter C.Q. & Kadesha C.
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It was just around 12 a.m. when the crooner Wayne Wonder hit the stage accompanied by Singso his backing band out of Florida, captivating the fans with tunes like "Forever Young", "Saddest Days", "Joy Ride", "Bounce Around" and "Still Love". After delivering a host of his early renditions, Wayne then thanked the people for helping him reach this far in his career and proceeded to sing "No Letting Go", the single that gave him mainstream recognition. All the while, the crowd was roaring in appreciation.

From there members of the Boom Champion family, Jahmoun and Dangerous Robin, took to the stage strategically choosing dancehall selections from the late eighties, early nineties getting the patrons ready for what was to come.

The Til Shiloh Band then made it's way to the stage accompanied by New Kidz, who hyped the 5,000 plus patrons before Buju Banton came on. Buju, who was stage side waiting to perform, was surrounded by a flood of fans and media alike snapping photos. When Buju finally hit the stage, it was a roar of acceptance from the crowd and there was no disappointment. Buju gave the people what they wanted. Singing hits from his enormous repertoire always at some point returned to the 'Til Shiloh' album which had the patrons bellowing word for word. Gargamel always one with a positive message, stated with passion to the people to rise out of that mental state of oppression because only they can rightfully claim what is destined for them. He then touched on "I Rise", a new single from his latest album 'Rasta Got Soul'. Wayne Wonder who was instrumental in Buju's early career then graced the stage once again to accompany Buju and performed hits like "Heal The World", "Forever Young", "Bonafide Love" ... some of the songs they did back in the day under the tutelage of Donavon Germain of Penthouse Records. With Buju jumping on the speaker boxes at one point, reminiscent of a Super Blue performance, sent the crowd crazy with every gesture.

Hits, hits, hits were the order of the morning when big, bad, dutty, stinking Shabba Ranks hit the stage accompanied by several ice gold and green flag wavers. Shabba dressed in a gold jacket, green fedora hat, big gold chain and white trousers wasted no time in getting into his repertoire of hits, beginning with songs like "Get Up Stand Up (I'm Not Going To No Circus)". Clearly full of energy, touching every part of the stage performing "Wicked In Bed", "Dem Bow" and "Gyal Yuh Good". His nostrils still flared wildly while he performed, sucking in the volumes of oxygen needed to fuel his often imitated throaty rudeboy roar. "Trailer Load of Girls" saw beautiful women grace the stage waving ice gold and green flags. "Love Punany Bad" had the crowd waving rags left to right encouraged by Shabba.

"Mr. Loverman" saw one of the three background vocalists from the Til Shiloh Band accompany Shabba, all the while demonstrating how the loverman does it. Clearly after a decade long absence from these shores Shabba did not disappoint. His closing performance accompanied by Denise "Saucy Wow" Belfon, much to the delight and surprise of many she challenged Shabba to wine low to her song "Panic". Shabba accepted with great pleasure, sending the crowd into a frenzy! The show ended just around 3:30 a.m. with satisfied patrons streaming out of the Queen's Park Savannah.

For TJJ, reporting from stage side, I'm Cass Stuart.

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