SINGER Tarrus Riley is unapologetically opposed to violence. During his performances he usually remarks, “even the man who mek gun ‘fraid a gun”. But last Sunday, this artiste who has even written a tune against gun violence, was ‘bussin shots’ at Studio 38 in New Kingston.

The event was the final in a series of concerts to celebrate the first anniversary of the club, located at the Pulse Complex, and Riley was delivering musical shots in rapid fire.

The smooth crooner, who is known to be a hit with the ladies, was definitely at home with the predominantly female audience, and delivered shot after shot from his musical arsenal.

This son of lover’s rock veteran Jimmy Riley sounded his arrival just after 10 o’clock with the anti-domestic violence tune, Start A New, and set the stage for what would be more than an hour of great reggae music.

As he unloaded his musical clip he reminded his audience, “we only buss musical shots, no violence roun’ here,” and the audience just loved it more, ‘bussin’ shots of their own.

His ammunition included My Baby, Battlefield, Living the Life of a Gun, Far Away, Protect Mi People Jah and Stay With You.

Stay With You segued into the tête-à-tête with band leader and saxophonist Dean Fraser, as well as cameos from his backing vocalists. This segment always proves entertaining and Sunday night was no different.

However, no Tarrus Riley performance is complete without his mega hit, She’s Royal. Once the opening bars to the track began, the audience, which was already brimming with excitement, rose to their feet to salute the popular song.

The Studio 38 event also witnessed a surprise appearance from renowned musician Lloyd Parkes, who is most known for leading the We The People Band. With no band and sans his trademark bass guitar, it was just Lloydie on vocals, with the support of Dean Fraser’s Black Soil band, as he performed the signature tune, Officially. Another of the night’s many moments.

The concert on Sunday wrapped up the performances for the first anniversary, which saw Beenie Man a few days before, and 70s reggae act, Pluto Shervington headlining the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Tonight, Pulse truly caps the observance with the Friday night session.

— Richard Johnson