ON February 21 some of Jamaican gospel’s leading lights take their act to South Florida as part of that region’s Reggae Month activities. They are scheduled to perform at the Pre-Ash Wednesday Gospel Spectacular at Miramar Cultural Center.

Carlene Davis, Jabez, Prodigal Son, Glacia Robinson, Omari, and Mr Gallimore are the confirmed artistes. Delroy Escoffrey, one of the event’s organisers, anticipates a strong turnout of patrons to the free event.

“Hopefully we can win some souls for Christ. This is a show ordained by God,” he said.

Artistes for ‘Gospel Spectacular’ represent the sound that helped transform gospel music in Jamaica almost 30 years ago. They record songs with reggae and dancehall rhythms that have not only made mainstream airwaves, but earned them slots on secular shows such as Reggae Sumfest.

Escoffrey, who was once road manager for dancehall acts like Spragga Benz and Red Rat, became a Christian seven years ago. He sees nothing wrong with persons of faith praising the Lord to secular beats.

“Every genre of music has gospel, it really depends on the lyrical content. It’s not the music but what you are saying that’s important,” he stated.

Traditional gospel was popular in Christian circles during the 1970s in Jamaica but the 1980s saw the emergence of acts like The Grace Thrillers whose reggae-flavoured songs, like Can’t Even Walk and Jesus, became dancehall anthems.

A decade later artistes such as Davis, Papa San and Judy Mowatt, as well as music producer Danny Browne, led a wave of conversion to Christianity. That resulted in the emergence of charismatic gospel performers including Robinson, Jermaine Edwards, and Kevin Downswell.

A number of events have marked the first Reggae Month in South Florida, which is a joint promotion between the Inner Circle Band and Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA).

It culminates on February 28 with the Jamaica International Music Awards in the city of Sunrise.