Who ain’t looking good, good looking, the song goes.
The problem, however, at the second LIME/HOT 95.3 Cavalcade at Belleplaine, St Andrew, was not so much who was “good or good looking”, but why so many of the acts had to work so hard to get the audience to move to their music.
The irony is that when DJ Alvin Toppin took over for 30 minutes, the entire playing field seemed not to get enough of the same music as recorded by local acts.
Maybe one of the reasons is that the music of those who performed, outside of Biggie Irie, is not known, but that does not necessarily follow because many entertainers who have never been heard of, “hit it” the first time you hear them.
It can’t be a good feeling for a performer when she or he asks an audience if they want more only to have an unresponsive blanket of darkness resting a few feet away from the stage they are on.
Be that as it may, there were still a number of performers who showed glimpses of what one would consider good showbiz savvy.
Steel pannist André Forde and his band could not be faulted for their contribution. Forde was technically sound on the pan and adventurous in improvisation, but alas he might have had the wrong audience.
Singer Donella [Weekes] has mastered her craft and is one of Barbados’ better performances, but her reach into the crowd was limited.
The Kryptonyte band, formerly Double Xplosion, has been rebranded and now features Barry Chandler, Faith Callender aka Fate and Richard Antonio, formerly Rusty. Still in the embryonic stages of its reincarnation they have the material in the upfront singers to make an impact. Fate also adds a lot to the line for her singing and stage presence.
Jafar was one of the more complete sounds on stage. His works were melodically strong and well delivered.
Coopa Dan and Frost are also complete acts with good stage and catchy melodies, but they have to find the formula to get into the crowd.
The cavalcade, entitled The Outbreak: Level 2, was not all about music. An opportunity was given to dance groups like Israel Lovell Foundation and Adrenaline Dancers.
Other acts on stage were Mr Levi, Livia, former calypso king Popsicle, Stiffy, Crimeson, Gorg and Hypasounds.
Biggie Irie closed off the show with a string of his popular songs around midnight.
