THE cool winds blowing across the grounds at Kingston’s Mass Camp, did nothing to chill the spirit which reigned inside Stars R Us on Saturday night.

Vintage Jamaican music lovers, turned out to support the Stars R Us tribute to late Reggae singer, Gregory Isaacs. The artiste, best known as the Cool Ruler, was a staple on the popular concert series and the loyal patrons were just too willing to come out and party for Gregory.

Although the audience did not climb to the anticipated numbers, those inside the venue were treated to the usual levels of sheer entertainment that local vintage acts are known for.

Among the nights top performers were: Derrick Morgan, Tinga Stewart, Johnny Clarke, George Nooks, Leroy Sibbles and the night’s final act, Mr 1000 Volts — John Holt.

The high level of entertainment should not be a surprise however, as the night’s curtain-raiser was a clear indicator of the level of what was to follow. Local radio station Irie FM had organised a Gregory Isaacs sound-alike contest and the winner, George Nightingale, definitely evoked memories of Isaacs as he stepped onto the stage. Giving his rendition of, Isaacs’ Hard Drugs he set the park ablaze with the

vocal nuances reminiscent of the Cool Ruler.

Star time really came with the arrival of that champion of the Ska and Rocksteady eras, Derrick Morgan. Dapperly-dressed in a lilac suit and black fedora, Morgan, who is now blind, took to the stage and delivered the hits he is famous for. In between songs he offered anecdotes, much to the delight of the audience. His closing Prince Buster medley was to take the dancing patrons on an even higher level. When he retuned to the stage for an encore, Morgan quipped, “you all know how much mi back a hot me and you want more,” but he delivered nonetheless, leaving the stage with his audience satisfied.

Tinga Stewart would be the next act to lift the tempo after Morgan’s departure. Dressed in red, from head to toe, Stewart thrilled the predominantly female audience with the cover versions of R&B tracks he made popular in the 1990s. But it was his 1974 festival song winner, Play The Music, which got the audience rocking. And when he segued into No Weh Nuh Better Dan Yard — his 1981 festival song — it was a done deal.

He would make way for that prolific hitmaker from the ’70s, Johnny Clarke.

Clarke who has not lost his youthful sound, delivered as he reminded his audience, “hit after hit” — Baby it’s You, Rock With Me, Move Up and Jah Jah In Deh just flowed one after the other.

This tempo was maintained as George Nooks took centrestage. Having hits in every decade since the ’70s, first under the stage name Prince Mohammed, he too had Mas Camp eating out of his hands and earned an encore for which he performed Gregory Isaacs’ Top 10.

With time running out Rocksteady balladeer Leroy Sibbles could only manage a tight set in which he dropped lines from some of his

popular tracks.

The night was to climax with John Holt, who never fails to deliver, and with an audience which clearly appreciates his genre, he was right at home. Love I can Feel, Stealing, Ali Baba, Carpenter and Sweetie Come Brush Me, just floated on the cool night wind.

The production team must be commended for the great sound and adequate lighting. However, one would have thought that at a tribute concert, more of the artistes would have performed Gregory Isaacs tunes.

(See Stars R Us pictorial)

— Richard Johnson