DigiceL Red Hot Cohobblopot, which was promoted as an energy-filled party, seemed at times to be simmering on a low flame.Although the band was on song and performers for the most part delivered, crowd response at Kensington Oval on Sunday night seemed lacklustre at times.Perhaps patrons were conserving energy for the big Kadooment Day jump or they were tired after a long season but the general consensus was that the “heat” just was not there.Under the theme Bajan Forever, the show began promptly at 8 p.m. before a small audience.Master of ceremonies Mac Fingall got proceedings under way with the popular Mock Botsy.He was followed by newcomer Red Man with his Young Wuk.Bobo reminded the audience that “mud is mother nature’s mascara” in one of his contributions for this year, Muddy.Gorg, or “Mr Sexy” as he likes to be called, came dressed for Serious Wukking in collar and tie and, atypically, did not “back” his shirt. Of course, no performance from Gorg would be complete without a drinking song, and he treated the audience to Drinkz Can’t Done. Mr Wrinkles was entertaining in his performance of Not For A Soul, in which he declared that he would not lend anyone his possessions again since they never returned them. He was joined by his friend Wilfred who brought back some of his items, including an old LP. Wilfred then asked Wrinkles to return something he had but that did not belong to him – his three sons. The small audience erupted into laughter.Fingall then sought to show that “smut” in calypso was nothing new and sang a few songs from Mighty Sparrow, as well the Merrymen’s Big Bamboo to prove his point.This year’s Pic-O-De-Crop champion Gabby performed one of his winning songs, Olé Ashe, accompanied by colourfully dressed Latin dancers.Then, ladies’ man Statement made it clear he would be partying All Night Till Morning.Response to BagRed Plastic Bag stoked the fire and got the audience moving and singing lustily for the first time when he sang last year’s hit Something’s Happening. By this time, one hour into the show, the grounds were a little more populated and patrons also joined in when RPB sang La La.Natahlee also got a good response when she performed the melodic Look For Me, as well as Colours, her popular collaboration with Shontelle.Sweet Soca monarch TC took the audience back in time with Kim before performing last year’s Hot Sun And Riddim and this year’s Down The Road. Last Sunday’s controversy at Bushy Park seemed to be forgotten as patrons sang and danced with the Sweet Soca queen.It was then the turn of People’s Monarch Mr Dale who delivered crowd favourites Soca Junkie, Come Out and Drop It.Li’l Rick received a rousing welcome when he arrived on stage amid a pyrotechnic display. Patrons on the grounds moved quickly to the very front to get the best view of what the “Chihuahua Businessman” had to offer.He did not disappoint, singing What A Feeling and Carry On before being joined by his son Unda Dawg.When the audience had been sufficiently warmed up, the Hypa Kids followed in the footsteps of their father and older brother, enthralling the audience and getting them to stomp their Happy Feet. They were joined on stage by several wining penguins.Li’l Rick then took over again, this time in the role of a Landship captain curious about who taught one of his female “sailors” to wine like that. The crowd, which had grown as large as it would get, showed that it could Guh Down and come back up without difficulty.Big band krosfyah then took to the stage for a one-hour set that included hits of lead singers Edwin Yearwood, Khiomal Nurse and Barry Chandler. They included Chrissening, Bashment Bacchanal, Nah Missing Me, Voice In My Head, Unleash The Beast.Krosfyah, which is celebrating 20 years in entertainment, was presented with a Milestone Entertainment Award by the Ministry of Community Development and Culture and the National Cultural Foundation.Soca Kartel, comprising Blood and Mikey, performed several local and regional hits before performing their own material. Their set included Back It Up, Boom Bam, Foot On Fire and My Party.Hypasounds and Alison Hinds were included in their set. Hypasounds sang this year’s track Sugar Land while Hinds went through a now familiar routine with Back It Up.Soca Kartel’s set ended somewhat abruptly in a fireworks display.
