LOCAL music group C-Sharp, had Jamaica’s business set on their feet at the launch of Flow’s Columbus Business Solutions last week at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel.

The band, which has toured the world, added an edge to the cocktail reception, playing to a crowd of Jamaica’s corporate elite. Formalities were relaxed, as the business set got down to the sweet melodies and thumping rhythms of the reggae outfit, who belted out song after song.

The band which consists of Aeion ‘Yaaka’ Hoilett on bass and vocals, Dwain ‘Wiya’ Campbell on keyboards and vocals, Chevaughn Clayton as lead singer, Randevon ‘Randy’ Patrick on drums and Lamont ‘Monty’ Savory on guitar, C-Sharp has travelled the world making music, but find it important to maintain a strong presence on the local live music scene, and executive events are no exception.

The group played the show in a deliberate effort to catch the attention of corporate Jamaica. Band manager Hugh Hoilett explains, “Reggae today does not have the backing it did when Bob Marley was around. There isn’t as much interest fostering artistes and sponsoring the creative industry. C-Sharp is making an effort to get corporate Jamaica on board, to rebrand and re-launch a high quality international reggae product.”

Singer Dwain Campbell commented on the band’s uncommon appearance in such a formal setting saying, “Reggae music is for the people, but in the industry we must make sure that the business sector knows what the music is about. The industry needs this kind of exposure, so we can get support from the people who run the country and get some financial support.”

The group wowed the upper crust crowd last week at the Columbus event, where they played a vigorous two hour set. They gave the mature and sophisticated performance of seasoned entertainers, showing off their range as they slipped seamlessly from genre to genre.

C-Sharp made sure the execs got ‘brawta’ as they turned up the heat at the ritzy high-tech themed gathering. CEO’s tapped their toes to uptempo numbers such as What’s The Matter with the World and covers of hits from artistes ranging from Stevie Wonder to Buju Banton.

Their wide repertoire comes as a result of their musical maturation. Having developed knowledge of the ins and outs of the industry, the group has grown stronger and is more focused on honing their talents.

While on hiatus from their tour in Amsterdam late last year, the group has kept themselves occupied creating a new album. Their sophomore venture will feature a more sophisticated sound, featuring roots reggae, world beat, and rock/reggae fusions. The album, Invitation, also features the single of the same name; a collaborative effort with dancehall artiste Busy Signal. C-Sharp even shows their music chops with a track produced by the legendary Dean Fraser.

Both the single and the album are expected this summer, with a 10-week European promotional tour to follow.