THE event was billed Kabaka Pyramid and Friends, but little did patrons know that such a stellar line-up of his musical friends and family would show up at Tuesday’s event.

The show was the curtain-raiser for a new season of the intimate, live music series — Behind The Screen — at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records in St Andrew and the performances by the artistes were a fitting kick-off.

Backed by his Bebble Rock Band, the lanky singjay was in his element from the moment he took to the stage at near 11:00 pm.

He would deliver some of his popular and not-so-popular tracks for the fair-sized audience which gathered inside the popular Corporate Area watering hole and eatery.

The first hour was undiluted Kabaka Pyramid. Never Gonna be a Slave, Dreader Than Dread, No Capitalist and, Caan Study Me would all roll off the his tongue much to the delight of the audience.

He would later perform a string of hits dedicated to the ‘Empresses’, followed by tracks for the ‘Warriors’ which were all greeted with shouts of “Accurate,” Kabaka Pyramid’s signature greeting.

The first sign of things to come came after his first hour one stage when he delared “We jus’ a get warm!”

His would launch into a ‘bun a fire’ segment during which all forms of social injustice were tackled in song.

The fire burned hotter, in fact lava-red, when singer I-Wayne stepped onto the stage and the audience erupted in applause and cheers.

The two would deliver their track Versatile, before I-Wayne stepped into the spotlight and delivered a medley of his hits.

The temperature rose a few degrees when the artiste of the moment Chronixx took to the stage.

Their collaboration It’s Alright was more of what the audience wanted. Chronixx, who like Kabaka Pyramid has just retured from playing the European Reggae Festivals, delivered a few of his popular tracks.

The appearance by Chronixx would then unleash an avalanche of acts onto the stage.

By the end of the night Protoje, Jesse Royal, Iba Mahr, Exco Levi, Dre Island, Keznamdi and his sister Kalissa would cram onto the small stage each taking turns delivering some of their own music, creating a feeling of unity within the music befitting the ‘reggae revival’ banner which they have been flying.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer following the performance, Kabaka Pyramid noted he was pleased with his performance and the reception he received from the Tracks and Records audience.

“I love the vibes and the way the people turn out and appreciate the lyrics of songs that they are familiar with and even those they don’t know.”

He described his run in Europe for the summer festivals as being wonderful.

“It is always great performing in Europe. This year we did some of the major festivals including Rototom Sunsplash in Spain and it was all love.”

For Kabaka Pyramid the next few months see him hitting the studio to record on his own label, Bebble Rock.

The Behind the Screen series continues next week with Sizzla Kalonji.

— Richard Johnson