Wonderful end to Negril's One Love Reggae Series

By David Ellis

Friday, March 19, 2010

Reggae crooner Wayne Wonder headlined the final concert last Tuesday night, in the winter series of the One Love Reggae concerts. "I want to give Negril my all" said the artist born Von Wayne Charles, and so he did.

The singer, whose No Letting Go album had been nominated for a Grammy Award, has come a far way from the days of him using his musical talents to do covers. In fact, he blazed to prominence with his cover version of British heartthrob Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up. However, he has since then created a steady stream of successful Penthouse Records-produced tunes including I'm only Human, Baby You and I and Saddest Day which he recorded in combination with Foxy Brown.

The audience was treated to favourites such as his 1991 cover version of the late Delroy Wilson's I Don't Know Why retitled Movie Star and the ever popular Bonafide Love which he recorded in combination with Buju Banton.

Wayne Wonder proved that he was truly deserving of the honour of bringing down the curtains on the One Love Reggae Series.

His global hits No Letting Go released on the major label Atlantic Records and the album No Holding Back dominated the urban and pop radio in America and brought him his first Grammy nomination. Having won a MOBO Award in the UK, three BMI Urban awards he was more than qualified to make a live appearance on NBC television's Saturday Night Live. This outstanding performer also had the distinction of having his inspired version of Hold Me Now (originally recorded by the Thompson Twins) appearing on the successful 50 First Dates movie soundtrack, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

Six Negril NGO's and schools benefited from part proceeds of the concerts and many business operators on the One Love Drive in Negril, reported a boost in their business as a direct result of the series.

The One Love Reggae Series attracted appreciative audiences comprising tourists and Jamaicans alike and brought high quality live entertainment to Jamaica's capital of casual -- Negril. The outdoor venue, set against the sea cliff and lighthouse, had an extraordinary ambience and added features such as craft producers, soup and coconut vendors, made for a tropical paradise setting.

Wayne Wonder's performance was the last of 17 concerts, sponsored by the JTB and held at Negril Escape Resort on the town's West End. During the period, performers included Shaggy, Taurus Riley, Jah Cure, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Queen Ifrika, Marcia Griffiths, Etana and Freddie McGregor.

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Wonderful end to Negril's One Love Reggae Series