By Mel Cooke, Freelance WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
IT WAS a case of many 'ifs' at the Strawberry Nightclub on James Avenue in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on Friday night into Saturday morning.
If the Punaany Poets from the USA had turned up all would have been well; if the P.. P.. Posse from Jamaica did not have car trouble on the way to Ocho Rios they would have been on hand to do a show for the many people who turned up for a 10:00 p.m. start; and if the Posse was not committed to their craft then there would have not been a show at all.
As it was, Sajoya and Chandis performed their work to a double handful of hardcore fans who seemed much more interested in the ppthan the poetry. They were supported by violinist Mark Stephenson and percussionist Zamba, who did abbreviated sets of their own to kick off the proceedings. Ras Rod shouldered MC responsibilities and joined Sajoya for one piece.
The shortened version of the Posse's show ran for just under an hour and began with Mark Stephenson giving the Heathen rhythm the violin treatment. Zamba asked for a rhythmic clap and got it, punctuating the beat with his drumming. He followed with some turns of the cabaza before making way for Sajoya.
"Welcome Sayoya, de Rasta Man sawya!" Ras Rodd exhorted the audience and they did so enthusiastically. Her mini-skirt and high heels did not hurt either and when she requested that they say they core of the Posse's name, they did so with equal vigour.
Sajoya advised them, however, that it was a case of saying it with respect.
Her first poem was done acapella, naming some of the nicknames for the vagina, concluding that "all are considered a bit derogatory."
She went on to address the double standard which exists, whereby a man has his wife and an 'outside woman'. She explained the system of polygamy which exists in some African countries, going on to say that "what we have in Jamaica is undercover lover".
"We say no to Undercover Lover," Sajoya said, introducing her next piece, which included the refrain no undercover, could be my lover.
The rhythm drowned out the first words of the poem, but the volume was soon adjusted. The unamplified violinist and percussionist were still able to make their presence felt. However, the roar of the men in the Strawberry Nightclub as one of their number moved in close and gyrated with the poet was even more disruptive. When he departed the stage and a next one began to advance, Sajoya dismissed him with the poem's refrain.
The club erupted in laughter.
Her introduction of Chandis saw more men drawing closer to the stage and her thigh-high split over fishnet stockings. Chandis did Rain Dance, her sultry tones flowing over drums and violin. When she was finished there was scattered applause.
Sajoya returned to do Ital Stew, inviting an extremely willing man from the audience to join her. A few hip movements were naturally on the cards and the 'unital stews' in the club filled the air with chants of 'hey, hey' to each prod of the waistline.
"If yu no treat yu wife right, Joe wi come inna yu life," Sajoya said, as she moved into her final piece, which centred around 'Joe Grind'. She was joined on this number by Ras Rod, who played the scoundrel Joe and also complemented Sajoya in a poetic duet.
Chandis returned to do Ghetto Fabulous, which drew the curtains on the PPPosse's performance.
Sajoya explained to The Gleaner that she had not received any word from the Punaany Poets, subsequent to an e-mailed itinerary earlier this week which had them arriving at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, at 12:40 p.m. on Friday afternoon. This was after two months of communication previously.
"As far as I am concerned the Punaany Poets have dissed Jamaica," Sajoya told The Gleaner.
