Deon P. Green, Freelance Writer
LONDON, England:
DURING the heat of summer, reggae music and Jamaican artistes took centre stage at 'Germany Splash', an event said to have been modelled after the legendary Reggae Sunsplash. The show, in its fifth staging, confirmed that reggae and dancehall are among the established genres of music and have moved beyond Jamaica's shores to countries where the dominant language is in no way associated with the patois which is often entwined in the lyrics.
The event, publicised in several newspapers in Germany, was good by all accounts. Names such as Delly Ranks, Christopher, Chico, Wayne Marshall, Baby Cham, Tanya Stephens, Assassin, Spragga Benz and George Nooks are becoming popular in Germany following the show, staged over two days at Chemitz.
One promoter of the annual festival, known in that part of the world as Bimma, reported that it was a sell-out. He alluded to the fun, excitement, entertainment and 'real reggae' which the Jamaican artistes brought.
Interestingly, one review of the show pointed out that although there were other genres on show at the large property where the event was staged, including hip-hop, the reggae acts stole the spotlight.
The Sunday Gleaner was told that the German fans have even adopted the flicking of cigarette lighters, the 'gun salute' using the fingers and screams associated with the artistes' arrival on-stage from Jamaica.
Looking directly at the performers, the reports out of Germany state that Jamaican-born, New York-based singer Razah had the couples getting closer with bubbling lovers rock. Delly Ranks and Christopher, who were making their debut in Europe, were also favourites with the crowd.
Ward 21 was also in for some of the crowd's outpouring of appreciation. They delivered Judgement Day, Haters, Smoke and Anti Spy,among other songs.
European based D-Flame worked for 60 minutes with a blend of calypso, reggae and hip-hop. Prior to a sound system taking over the party, Baby Cham's performance was said to be sensational with Babylon Boy and Tables Will Turn making an impact.
It is understood that the promoters are already anticipating a bigger and better festival next year, although a date has not been announced.
Luciano on tour
In other entertainment news, here in the UK Luciano, while on tour in recently, had an interview on the BBC 'Radio Reggae' show. The ever-conscious 'Messenger' was asked if he thought he was fighting a losing battle. He responded: "Dear God no! One thing that reassures me really is because I know that it must be good over evil. Satan can't win God, so I just go on and do the work no matter what."
For those who did not know, Luciano did not begin his career as a singer. He revealed: "It is while I was playing my guitar that I realised that I have a talent to sing, because my guitar was giving me that type of vibe. It helps with the melodies. So professionally I play the guitar. It is my main instrument. I play the flute too. My father built a guitar- it was one of the things in his legacy that I inherited. My father was a strict Adventist, so no doubt he wanted me to sing more gospel songs, but I try to keep my music positive and spiritual."
More from the Luciano interview next week.
Back in Jamaica, I was at Dunn's River Falls a week ago. Some tourists wanted to have a drink, as well as purchase some souvenirs from the gift shop. They were not prepared to pay US$10 just to enter the park so they could make their purchases, although it would also allow them to enjoy the falls, since they had done so on other occasions. They suggested that it would be beneficial to the Jamaican economy if the shops were separated from the falls, with some added structured entertainment such as folk singers at the entrance. The authorities would do well to look into the possibility.
As promised, the reggae charts are back. Here is Chris Goldfinger/BBC's top 10, based on performance in the dancehall and the Choice FM top 10, based on record sales.
Chris Goldfinger
1. Elephant Message - Elephant Man
2. Sufferer - Bounty Killer
3. Gimme The Light - Sean Paul
4. Warlord No Business - Bounty Killer
5. I am That Man - Luciano/ Lion Paw
6. World's Greatest - Terry Linen
7. Cross Road - Bounty Killer
8. Weed Thugging - Elephant Man & Wayne Marshall
9. Frenzy - Sanchez & Wayne Marshall
10. Wining Queen - Elephant Man
Choice FM
1. Sufferer - Bounty Killer
2 Elephant Message - Elephant Man
3. Empress So Divine - Warrior King
4. World's Greatest - 14K
5. Bun Out Chi Chi - Capleton
6. Bless Me - Lloyd Brown
7. Shaking Won't Stop - Peter 8.
8. Whole World -Wayne Marshall
9. Main Squeeze - Lloyd Brown
10 Frenzy - Sanchez
For reactions, comments and happenings on the entertainment scene in the UK, e-mail Deon Green at greenyranks@yahoo.com
