IN his first appearance in Jamaica, Senegalese artiste Meta Dia, left no doubt that he is going to make an impact on the global music community fusing Afro pop, hip hop, rock and soul along with a mixture of French, English, Wolof and Fulani vocals with the Jamaican sound.

His was a convincing stint that was given the stamp approval by the audience at Studio 38 in Kingston last Sunday. Without his backing outfit, the Cornerstones, Meta Dia in an energetic performance left no stones unturned.

That he got the crowd to participate was clearly a pass mark for him. He had them rocking to tracks including Somewhere in Africa, Senegal, Cornerstone and Anywhere For Love. But it was with the Bob Marley’s timeless Concret Jungle that he was most exciting. He did more than justice to this song which on his forthcoming album Ancient Power being recorded at the Tuff Gong International Studio. The power of his music came across strongly enough to suggest that the name Meta Dia is going to resonate in the not too distant future. And his bid to grow his fanbase in the birthplace of reggae has began in earnest.

Meta Dia set a tone that was not only continued by reggae act Bushman, but was taken to another level. With his dynamic lyrics, superb showmanship, the entertainer from St Thomas as is customary, gave another of his trademark performances which excited the audience and contained important messages for humanity.

“Yu see it, most of my songs are social commentary. Because over the years we have seen a lot of grouse yu nuh…a lot of brainwashing have passed down to our people. But Rasta is about rites and rights, and we cry blood every day, so that’s why Bob Marley say Redemption Song,” intoned Bushman after opening with Holding On.

Reeling off hits, his colourful performance was decorated with “haul-and-pull-ups” some of which were evoked by the roaring fans. Bushman sparked a fire with his Light House as well as with Peter Tosh’s catalogue, he continues to burn with Equal Rights, Johnny Be Good, among many others such as Fire Bun A Weak Heart, Thanks and Praise, Mr Landlord

and as the hits kept flowing so was the whistling and screaming kept coming fast and furious.

Like Meta Dia, Bushman was ably supported by the Kurfew Band that took over from the ensemble of the Kingston Drummers that gave a lively start with a string of well known Jamaican folk tunes.