The only drawback from Tuesday night’s performance by roots-reggae artiste Samory I at The Pallet in St Andrew, was the small audience.

The artiste and management put together an intimate event at the rustic venue. However, it is a pity there were not more people present to take in the performance by a singer who could possibly be one for the future.

For 90 minutes, Samory I put on a show featuring songs from his debut album Black Gold, as well as some subsequent releases.

Backed by the Black Heart Band, Samory I delivered tune after tune with heart and raw emotion. His music, which is an eclectic blend of dub, a hint of R&B and jazz, set solidly on the drum and bass substrate which reggae is built.

Lyrically, Samory I clearly sets himself a very high bar. Themes of love, black pride, Africa, and injustice — precepts of Rastafari, permeate his music. The strong lyrical content coupled with top-class musical arrangements are reasons why his music and debut album have been so well-received by critics and audiences alike, especially in Europe.

On Tuesday, as the sole act of the night, Samory I was able to patiently deliver his material for an appreciative audience which included radio personality Deon Matthis, actress Rosie Murray, dub poet Mutabaruka and his wife Jackie Cohen, music producer Winta James, and Kumar Bent, former frontman of reggae band Raging Fyah.

Tracks included Son of David, Fear of Jah, Power and Lost Africans. Samory I delved deeper into his material with Rastaman which samples John Holt’s If I Were a Carpenter; the smooth love song African Daughter which has jazz undertones, his latest single Feeling, Black Gold the titular track from the album and the obligatory ganja anthem Weed.

He gave the audience his take on soul singer Syl Johnson’s Is It Because I’m Black before launching into his breakout track Rasta Nuh Gangsta.