For more than an hour, dancehall/reggae artiste Bugle used his years of experience, charisma, and hit-laden catalogue to deliver a workman-like performance at the third staging of Smirnoff Serenades Intimate Session last Sunday night at District 5, R Hotel, in New Kingston.

For more than an hour, the lanky singjay reeled off hit after hit, while mixing new material, which kept patrons on a musical high.

Backed by his An9ted band, Bugle ran through the hits while patrons sang along.

What I’m Gonna Do (Exercise Everyday), Doh (a song recorded with Serani),
Pearly Gates (performed in tribute to his late mother), Jah is the Way to Life, Journeys, Blame Life, Rasta Party, and Anything Goes kept the good vibes flowing.

One of his background vocalists Kerry-Ann joined him on the haunting and thought-provoking Music Saved my Life.

A number of Bugle’s friends from the entertainment industry also ‘passed through’ in a show of support.

Jahmiel reeled off Gain the World and Strongest Soldier, Delly Ranks upped the ante with Headache, Weh Di Time and Why, Why, Why, while Mr G aka Goofy created ripples with Ole Crook and Nah Stoop Low.

In a post-performance interview with the Jamaica Observer, Bugle said when he was contacted to perform it was an instant decision to oblige.

“As soon as they reached out to me I knew it was something I wanted to do. It is the type of show that I love. I love performing with my band, mi love to interact with mi audience without being rushed,” said Bugle.

“What I enjoyed most was just being able to do an over an hour set with my audience in an intimate setting like this. That within itself is a highlight for me, cause a supp’n weh mi love. Mi feel like a mi family mi a perform for. It was that kind of connection, and I guess that’s why it name intimate, because the whole setting just have da intimate energy deh,” he continued.

Nicolene Garriques, assistant operations manager, District 5, explained the idea behind the series which is held on the last Sunday of the month.

“We wanted to have a niche for our market, so we introduced Serenade Sessions to bring back live entertainment for our local artistes. The first one we did, Tanya Stephens brought the house down, and then last month it was Alaine, who also did very well. People really like it, its more of a sit-down vibe,” said Garriques.

According to Toni-Ann Latty, of Arts Chic Agency, producers of the Smirnoff Serenades series, a lot of work goes into bringing the event to life.

“An acoustic session takes a lot of details, and so it’s hard work putting the show together. Finding the right artiste with the catalogue to perform an hour-long set is sometimes challenging. We’re grateful to the team who assists us in making this happen, including SR Music, who ensure we deliver quality sound at each staging. Moreover, we are grateful to the artistes who still believe in live shows and to perform in intimate settings for their fans. We are so proud that we have been able to produce three stagings and look forward to a show each month for the remainder of the year with Smirnoff as title sponsors,” said Latty.