JOURNALISTIC rivalries were set aside as fiercely competitive practitioners freely chit chat and mingled over drinks at a Mento Night Media Party held on the lawns of Jamaica House in St Andrew on Tuesday.

The occasion, hosted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, also saw several government ministers and social media influencers in attendance.

“People come to these parties not to see me, but partake of the food we have. This year we tried to keep it traditional, and we have some mento bands from across the island…I have been enjoying the mento music. It is my pleasure to welcome you tonight. Enjoy the fun, the friendship, and the food,” said Holness in welcoming guests.

He then mingled among the guests, sharing photos with a few, before disappearing into the night.

In keeping with the evening’s theme, live mento music was provided by Energy Plus Mento Band as well as Mount Peace Mento Band. Classics including Leave My Kisiloo and Broom Weed, made popular by mento king Stanley Beckford, got a new lease on life.

Mento is a style of folk music that predates ska and reggae music. It is a fusion of African rhythmic elements and European elements. Mento typically features acoustic instruments such as an acoustic guitar, banjo, hand drums, and the rhumba box.

Born in Portland, Beckford is an unsung hero of Jamaican music. His career started as a rocksteady/reggae artiste in the late 1960s, but he switched to mento in the early 1970s and began playing for tourists in North Coast hotels. Up until his death, on March 30, 2007 at 65, Beckford kept the flames of mento burning.

In late evening the party, however, switched gears into more contemporary music from DJ Narity, who brought the curtains down on a delightful occasion.

— Brian Bonitto