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JARIA honours unsung heroes of Jamaican music
Basil Walters, Observer staff reporter
Friday, March 06, 2009
"Mi like weh dem a deal wid," Lloyd Parks whispers approvingly during the presentation of the first Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) awards ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel on Sunday night.The sentiment of the veteran bandleader/bassist was the consenus of the patrons of the well-attended event climaxing the second year's celebration of Reggae Month.
"The awards tonight is not about a popularity contest. It is a desire on the part of the industry to honour its stalwarts and to recognise those that have contributed over the years," chairman of the awards committee, Howard McIntosh said in welcoming the specially invited patrons.
Following the tradition of Tributes to the Greats (awards show and dance), the main feature of the gala affair, was the honouring of a number of unsung Jamaican heroes (some posthumously) from the music industry. And what was also praiseworthy was the fact that the honourees were drawn from different categories in the field of music, ranging from sound system operator, studio engineers, producers and performers vintage and contemporary.
The first recognition was given to Syd Bucknor for his contribution as a studio engineer. Receiving the award on behalf of Syd Bucknor who resides in England, was Lloyd 'King Jammy's' James who is one of the many producers and engineers influenced by the work of Bucknor. The other presentation for engineering went to Sylvan Morris who was on hand to receive his award presented by Don Corleone.
The first of two producer awards went to founder of Beverley's Record Label, the late Leslie Kong on whose behalf Tommy Cowan, one of his protégés, accepted the award. The second award for record production went to the legendary Sonia Pottinger on whose behalf the first disc jockey to have played her music on air, Al "Plum Plum" Plummer formerly of RJR, accepted the award.
A major blunder of the awards ceremony was the omission of the name Earl Belcher when recognition was given to Jah Love sound system. The fact that Jah Love sound system represents the Twelve Tribe of Israel Rastafari organisation, is no excuse. It just didn't happen in a vaccuum. It came out of the vision and creative impluses of Belcher whose energy and passion were the driving forces behind it. Given that the event was being recorded and documented for posterity, a travesty was committed when the late Earl Belcher's name was omitted.
Recipients of the musician's awards were another departed stalwart, Lennie Hibbert and the quiet giant Ansel Colins of Double Barrell's fame; followed by the awards for singers which went to songbird Pam Hall the presentation to whom was made by the sensational Ce'cile, and reggae crown prince Dennis Brown.
Before her award, as part of the Ladies in Cabaret, Pam Hall along with Keisha Patterson and Leba Hibbert delighted the audience with a repertoire of some of Alton Ellis' finest hits.
Naturally, AJ Brown was more into his own performing his musical tribute to Dennis Brown, than in his other role as co-show host.
"Some contributions are more valuable for their seminal influence than others. None has played a more lasting and important role in our music than our final award recipient. The JARIA Life Achievement Award goes to Count Ossie and the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari," host Kiki announced.
The entire ballroom erupted when leader of the MRR, Sam Clayton, on accepting the award said, "What I would like to say, is that our music, physically speaking has been a target for our post-colonial chronic psychomatic stress disorder."
Veteran lovers rock crooner Freddie McGregor, in putting the lid on the function in which the awardees and audience were serenaded by some of the country's finest performers, appealed to his peers to give support to JARIA.
"I must send a message seriously, because I'm one for talking and sometimes get mi self inna trouble, but sometimes it worth it. Our brothers who are not here tonight need to step up to the plate and realise that this industry is for all of us and must come out and support it," the singer urged before he segued into his hit song, When Push Comes to Shove.
Before Freddie McGregor's closing stint the audience was royally treated to the best of Nexus Choir, Dean Fraser's All Stars, Tanya Stephens, Dance Expressions, TOK, Gramps Morgan and LUST. But it was the exciting trio of Lloyd Lovindeer, Professor Nuts, and General Trees with their hilarious lyrics that enlivened the glittering award ceremony beyond comparison.
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