TEENAGED singers Monifa Goss and Caneil Williams gave outstanding performances at the Conscious Reggae Party show, which took place at Ashanti Restaurant in Kingston last Friday.

The event was part of the RJR Communication Group’s Kingston Music Week which ended last Sunday.

Both turned in sets that belied their age and equalled their senior colleagues in terms of showmanship.

Goss, a 15-year-old Ardenne High School student, stood out with her original songs Run School and Don’t Quite as well as a rendition of Pink’s Don’t Tickle Me.

Backed by his schoolmates from Pembrook Hall High School (which earlier this year won Best School Band in the school’s competition), Williams was just as solid.

Closing the show, he oozed confidence with a stirring performance of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers’ Tomorrow’s People. He switched to the most famous of Marleys (Bob), doing justice to the ‘Gong’s So Much Trouble and Thank You Lord.

Singer Papa D delivered an energetic set. He was most effective with his original songs, Reggae, Jamaica Jamaica and Call My Name.

The most established of the cast was roots singer Nature who lived up to his growing reputation with World Peace, Revolution, Mama Africa, Herbalist and No Guns Around.

Another singer to watch is ISHA Bell whose renditions of African Woman, Praise JAH JAH and Nuh Call Di Police went over well.

Backed by the Jamaica Music Trail Band, MOVACK, another fresh act, hit the mark with Burn Down Babylon, I’m Missing You Now and Back Door Deal.

— Basil Walters