Sometimes in the midst of despair, we find fertile seeds of hope.

I attended a number of functions in December that were inspiring in their display of artistry, creative direction and professionalism. As we enter 2010, these and other such signs bode well for the future of our music industry in Jamaica.

The first event worthy of mention is the Jamnesia series, which is held fortnightly at the family home of Billy Wilmot in Bull Bay. This is one of the few consistent programmes which allow young musicians, singers and deejays to rehearse, with a live band, work out the kinks, and perform their works in front of a live audience. This is a very important stepping stone in the professional career of any young pop performer. The skills set that is required to develop and sustain a successful stage act, while allied to is in fact quite different from that which is required for a studio and recording career. After all the necessary training in such discipline as voice control and timing, stage craft and audience communication, one still needs the practical experience which can only be gained through regular events such as this, to hone and fine tune their craft.

The problem is that in Jamaica, we no longer have the many venues, like Silver Slipper, Turntables, Tit For Tat, Sombrero, Hotel Kingston or Jonkunnu Lounge, or even programmes that facilitate this. We all know that this is due to the relatively higher overhead costs and over time, events have relied heavily on recorded music and sound systems, rather than live bands for entertainment. Hats off to Billy and the Wilmot family, for carefully screening the acts, insisting that they must attend rehearsals and most of all, for persisting with the programme over the last two years, at what must have been tremendous personal financial sacrifice to them. Jamaican entrepreneurs need this kind of long term vision, if we are going to reclaim our country as the entertainment Mecca to which everyone seeks to come and experience.

On Friday, December 18, I attended Bands Incorporated 2, at Lindsey Avenue and this was most refreshing and enlightening. While I had already seen some of the acts before at Jamnesia, this event was supported by much enhanced reinforced sound, more sophisticated stage lighting, and a bigger performance area. What thoroughly impressed me was the consistently high standard of musicianship, lyrics, and the authentic dub vibe demonstrated by all five bands.

This dub revival phenomenon which has been ongoing over the last two years, is a really good sign that the more progressive, trained young musicians are beginning to connect in a very special way with a most important element and phase which has played such a critical role in our successful musical (r)evolution. The bands who performed on that night were Mystikal Revolution, Raging Fyah, Rootz Underground and Dubtonic Kru. Interestingly, one detects a lot more of the one drop riddim in Rootz Underground’s music, as they have gained international exposure and experience.

On Tuesday, December 29, Rebel Salute had their media launch at the Hilton Kingston. Having attended launches for other major events during the month, I must say that this is the one that impressed me most. In doing so, I commend the Barret daughters, Kenya and Jahyuda, for staging an almost flawless event, both from a conceptual perspective, as well as, organisational including layout and décor. These two young women have a lot to be proud of.

The programme had the right mix of speakers with the focus and thematic thread throughout being the appropriateness of this year’s Rebel Salute as the perfect foil- the calm amongst the waves for countering all the negative features and developments which took place in the music industry in 2009. Patrick Barrett, aka Tony Rebel, has used this festival as a beacon in our live event landscape over the last 17 years, and has held firm to his uncompromising stance of no meat and no alcohol. He has not garnered the kind of support from the private sector who continue to carp about negative lyrics and Dancehall practices, nor has he received adequate support and sponsorship from public sector entities such as the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Tourism Enhancement Fund, even though, this event consistently brings to Jamaica more visitors and Jamaicans who reside abroad than any other single music event. It’s time to stop the bleating and “put yuh money where yuh mout’ deh, otherwise, nuh boddah chat, yeh” (Gaza Kim and Lisa Hype).

The Pepsi Rebel Salute line up for this year is very impressive, with the long awaited return of Steel Pulse, Barrington Levy, Admiral Tibet, Daddy U-Roy, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Etana, Jah Cure, Richie Spice, Sasco (aka Assassin), Marion Hall (aka Lady Saw), Junior Mervin and Peter Metro.

These three events are fertile ground for the re-channelling of our young, creative minds into more constructive, progressive, directions with their musical skills. This is what the world is looking for. This is what made us famous and we must in 2010, renew the drive to repatriate our birthright and claim our once predominant place on the world’s live music scene.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com