Rebel Salute 2015 (Chapter 1)

By Errol Mitchell on Thursday, January 22, 2015 - Photos by Errol Mitchell - Comment

Etana, Third World, Capleton, Chronixx, Luciano, Johnny Clarke, Cocoa Tea, Alborosie, Sizzla and many more in Jamaica.

On Dec 18th,2014 was officially the launch of Rebel Salute 2015, on the facilities of Zip Fm in Kingston Jamaica. Former Prime Minister of Jamaica the Hon P.J Patterson hailed Tony Rebel, for all the work he had done to put together such a world class event. The Ministry of Tourism, and a host of corporate sponsors were exceptionally pleased with the buzzed that surrounded this event.

So forward to Jan 16th, at Richmond Estate, in St Ann the entire landscape seemed to change overnight. It was a nice cool and crisp Friday evening where the mixtures of reggae's elder statesmanship and the youthful exuberance of young artist, set the stage for another great reggae show. With the blessings and chants from the Nyabingi Drummers, Rebel Salute 2015 was officially underway.

Radio personality Jenny Jenny introduced a slew of upcoming artist eager to make a name for themselves in one of the most successful reggae event on the island. Itowa, Excite, Ras Perch, Leaf of Life, The Police (a former police officer turned Dj) just to mentioned a few. The audience came to its feet when Canadian Dub Poet Michael St. George took the stage with his powerful message Don't Want to Cave in.

The first female artist to grace the floor, came from Falmouth, Jah9 did celebrate Rastafari, this was a catalyst of what then follow, veteran roots singer Hopeton James' Talk About Love made way for the now Northern California based Norris Man who injected some sparks in the crown with his high energy. Nesbeth did an outstanding performance, Ole Gangalee with a very impressive troupe of dancers, Iba Mahr fresh off his European tour was well received with all is new songs and crowd favorite Will I Wait In Vain.

She has been making waves on the international reggae scene, her number one album on the Billboard's Reggae chart has propelled her to new heights. Etana 'the strong one’ has came out full blast. Still looking fresh from a recent birth, her set was classic, People Talk, Thy Will Be Done, Better Tomorrow, Day by Day, all had the audience screaming for more.

As the night progressed there was a host of young artist who have made a name for themselves, Junior Kelly If Love So Nice, Bugle kept the fire burning and then came the veteran Johnny Clarke who showed the audience that he is still going strong after more than forty years in the business.

Friday night belong to Mr. Rebel himself, Fresh Vegetable his performance reached the sky, as a promoter and an artist it showed how talented this man is. However he quickly made way for Sicilian reggae icon Alborosie, the entire venue came alive with all his energy. They say legends live and never die so true for veteran roots group Israel Vibration, no physical limitation can hold them back but their performance was amazing. A masterpiece performance. A true legendary group made all roots loving reggae fans still gasping for breath.

Even though it was a seasonally cool night, it was like 96degree in the shade, when Third World hit the stage. This group is a definition of success. Even though they have lost Lead singer Bunny Rugs last year to cancer, A.J. Brown has managed to step in and keep the energy high as the group's new lead singer. A remarkable success story indeed.

Jah Mason The early morning belongs to the folks who kept the fire burning. Tarrus Riley She is Royal is always a big hit with the female audience. They kept on screaming for more Tarrus! Jesse Royal and Kabaka Pyramid never comes up short when it comes to making a lasting impressions on the youthful members of the audience. I- Wayne never fails to keep the war on a unjust society and welcomes on stage Jah Mason. He let the audience know that he was just taking time out to do some farming and writing doing studio work and by no means has succumbed to the system. He is still a powerful force to reckon with.

It was now daylight and the sun was shinny brightly in the skies, the Caribbean sea was about two hundred yards from the main stage area. It would take a gigantic wave to quench the fire that the fireman Capleton brought. He would have to slew dem or even bun dug dreddie before they could put a hold on the energy the Prophet brings and so the curtains came down on another night of great reggae performance.

Day two was just a continuation of all the fire that was burnt until early Saturday morning. Richmond Estate was musically still on fire. The most talented High school band on the entire Island, Pembroke Hall High school band. Their performance showed that they deserved this honor, they kicked the night off with a excellent performance, many still wondered if these kids were high school students.

A new breed of new and upcoming artist set the stage for all what was to come this night. Sidney Mocha, Natty Pablo, Ras Isbo, Sophia Brown, Warrior Love, to name a few. Like father like son Young Jr, is just a chip off is famous father Junior Reid's back. Jr. had a very promising performance and seemed as he has been working on his skills for a while. Wonderful performance at his first Rebel Salute.

Reggae has gone world-wide the next artist was from Guadalupe, Cali P, also from Dominique forward was Oriel, gave way for island hoping reggae representation. They did a very interesting presentation and Cali P is quite seasoned to the Rastafarian way of life here in Jamaica. He was well received by the audience. Dalton Harris the 2014 winner of the Digicel rising star competition was still in the winning zone with his musical talent. Then there was bator one of Tony Rebel son and he sure is emulating in his fathers foot step. A very unique and awesome style.

Prodi was in a different zone with his musical contribution, a very interesting artist. Never under estimate the talents of a Canadian, Three time winner of Canada's prestigious Juno awards, Exco Levi gave a very special and powerful performance all the Canadian visitors screamed for more Exco! more Exco!

Lady Saw maybe Queen of the dancehall but step aside because there is a new dancehall champion in the making. Suga lived up to her name with some real 'sweet' female energy a well put together performance from a very promising dancehall queen. The long awaited legend finally graced the stage at Rebel this year, Cornel Campbell. One of the true legends of the roots reggae movement. Just like Cornel Campbell, Echo Minott got the audience dancing on their feet to his long list of true music collection. The audience really enjoyed is comical performance and his set was well taken. Other great performances followed with Leroy Gibbons, Fantan Mojah and Richie Spice.

The Mighty Diamonds gave an almost perfect performance. This trio showed the patrons that they still have it after been in the business for more than 30 years, their voices sounded just the same as when they first began recording, Right Time, Have Mercy, Pass the Kouchie.

When it comes to the reigns of reggae bands, Raging Fyah is the new leader where authentic roots music is concerned. There performance tonight has propelled them as one of the leading reggae Band in the world. A really great performance for an upcoming band!

Are you ready? Are you ready? The fire muma was blazing trails tonight, Queen Ifrica, looking gorgeous as ever was on fire tonight. Born Free, Lioness on the Rise, Below the Waist, Let's Get Silly were all well received by a trilled audience.

Freddie McGregor It was a long time coming for roots veteran singer Leroy 'the Don' Smart. This is his only appearance at Rebel but it was a big disappointment. After a slew of verbal attacks on the Warrior Love Band, the Patrons got tired of all his disrespect for the musicians and he got booed from the stage, we often wonder why a lot of promising talented artist never reached their full potential, a very sad case for the I am the Don artist.

Well their was no place for a big ship to dock near Richmond Estate but for some reason Freddie McGregor had a place in the heart of all the female fans. Just Don't Want to be Lonely, If I HadThe Wings of a Dove, To Be Poor is a Crime, Big Ship, the female patrons kept asking for more and more but his set was short but he delivered quite well

Jacob 'Killer 'Miller was one of the original members of the Inner Circle Band. They have dedicated their performance tonight to celebrate the life of Miller. Chronixx the young and upcoming artist joined them on stage to help pay tribute. A well received gesture by the patrons tonight.

Luciano is quite famous for his highly spiritual renditions and his strong embracement of his Rastafarian faith, a very powerful force in the quest for human rights and consciousness. He has certainly made a name for himself. The malfunction of his wardrobe in no reflect the message this icon preaches. It was just one of the nights were things just don't seem to go right. Well is close friend Mutabaruka reaffirmed the reason why he does not wear any kind of foot wear. Over all the Lava foundation artist still made a very lasting impact on this audience. Luciano

Well the sun was coming up once again on this peaceful and tranquil place and it was time again to wrap it up. Who else could close this great event? No other but Sizzla himself, In Jamaica we are guaranteed freedom of speech, so this was another opportunity for Sizzla to burn fire on the establishment. Another well put together event by the Rebel crew. The light, sound and all the crew that partake in this event did a wonderful job. If life continues see you again at another Salute of the Rebels.