The Folk Singers perform Come Mek Me Hol' Yu Han' during the launch of Pepperpot. (Photos: Joseph Wellington)

Arguably to no one's surprise, Dr Olive Lewin made the spiciest presentation at the launch of Pepperpot, the latest Jamaica Folk Singers concert and CD, inside the Little Theatre courtyard on Monday evening, although Director of Culture Syndey Bartley, standing in for Minister Assamba, came close.

In a lengthy but engaging narrative laced with quick quips and humourous digressions, Dr Lewin paid tribute to the group and in particular to Hazel Ramsay, who has been her faithful assistant in the documentation of traditional Jamaican songs, despite the expected but unwelcome financial contstraints and Dr Lewin also used the opportunity to inform that a crew from the BBC would shortly be coming into the island to shoot a segment of a documentary tracing the triangular movement of a group of Maroons, from Nova Scotia, Canada, on to the African republic of Sierra Leone.
The group, which originated from Jamaica, built among other things, the well-known watchtower known as The Citadel, in the Candian province.

Dr Lewin also paid tribute to former Folk Singers director Easton Lee for his dedication. Lee has also contributed a Chinese folk song to the CD.

Christine McDonald (left) and Dr Olive Lewin examines a copy of the Pepperpot CD.

Current director Christine McDonald, in her vote of thanks, paid special tribute to the studio engineers, and recounted how particular songs had an effect on the personnel as the recording progressed.

'In one session, we were singing the Our Father and somewhere in the middle of the session, the lights just went off, save for those on the console. When we asked later what had happened, the crew said the were feeling the spirituality of the song and just had to turn off the lights."

The Minister's speech, spoke to the sterling work of the Folk singers in representing traditional Jamaican music at home and overseas, and the increasing inherent value in the nation's cultural offerings.

The launch function closed with presentations of copies of the CD to Dr Lewin, Reverend Lee and other key representatives, and with the troupe delivering a delightful performance excerpt, encompassing the folk favourites, Come Mek Me Hol' Yu Han' and Moonshine Tonight.
The concert takes place at the Little Theatre this weekend. The CDs are presently available to the public.

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