SIZZLA... had them eating out of his palm

At the close of the recently held East Fest show at the Goodyear Oval in St Thomas, it was clear to most pundits that the event was a top contender for the show of the year.

Classic performances from Capleton "The Fireman", Sizzla, Beres Hammond,

Beenie Man, Marcia Griffiths and others, were the order of the night. There were no major incidents or long band changes to make patrons uncomfortable or bored.
East Fest was well organised and left little to be desired.

Beres Hammond, as always, maintained his high standards and captivated those at the venue was his sultry tenor.

Capleton, who up to recently has not been enjoying the best of form in the dancehall, came with his lyrical guns blazing and set the venue alight. With flare signals, lighters, fireworks and cellphones illuminating the venue, Capleton was in his element and could do no wrong.

The Fireman's performance was almost marred with the near-intervention of the local police, who were riled at the controversial chanter's frequent flirtations with expletives.
Although his set was not as highly charged as Capleton's, Sizzla Kolonji was no less effective.

The diminutive chanter had all and sundry inside the Goodyear Oval eating out of his palm. Almost every song the Rastafarian singjay offered was sung line for line by the responsive crowd, dispelling any doubts that his album, Da Real Ting, had made the most impact this year.

CAPLETON... set the venue alight

Dressed in a white Kangol tam, white shirt and blue designer jeans, Sizzla also drew for some of his early hits and sent off the fireworks. Black Woman and Child, Words of the Vine and Good Ways were all well accepted.

Beenie Man, who was given the task of closing the show, did so admirably.

Coming in The Fireman's wake, The Doctor maintained his cool and delivered with the professionalism for which he is renowned.

Beenie Man delivered his arsenal of hits and used his sublime dancing skills to keep audience satisfied. He used every trick in the book to keep his set alive and when the curtains came down, he had provided a fitting end to East Fest.

Earlier, reggae music diva, Marcia Griffiths, had waltzed through her catalogue of hits with consummate ease. Smiling and skanking with a calm confidence, she represented herself excellently.

Beres Hammond, as always, maintained his high standards and captivated those at the venue with his sultry tenor. The excitement remained at fever pitch throughout Hammond's performance.

Other performances of note came from DJ Tublulence, veteran crooner, Gregory Isaacs, the melodious LUST quartet, Natty King and Morgan Heritage.

Emcees for the night were Mutabaruka, Elyse Kelly and Ron Muschette.

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