Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Left: Tony Rebel in performance at 'A Night of Strictly Culture', held in honour of Joseph 'Culture' Hill, on the lawns of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, St. Andrew, on Friday. - Colin Hamilton photo Right: Buju Banton performs at 'Sting 2006' at Jamworld Entertain-ment Centre, in Portmore, St. Catherine, on December 26. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer
When Tru-Juice 'Rebel Salute 2007' takes place at the Port Kaiser Sports Club, St. Elizabeth, on Saturday, January 13, the emphasis will be on having a party.
"The difference with this year is that we want to have a party vibe. 'Rebel Salute' started out of the commemoration of my birthday. This year that is what we want to do. People come to 'Rebel Salute' not just to enjoy, but have a joyful night," Tony Rebel said at the ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, New Kingston, on Thursday evening.
Among those onstage setting the mood for the all-night party will be Buju Banton, Sanchez, The Abyssinians, Diana King, Gentleman, Gregory Isaacs, Lutan Fyah, Junior Kelly, Tarrus Riley and Tony Rebel himself.
He spoke about seeing the Abyssinians performing in Europe, and it, "giving me a vibe to say that we need a show like Rebel Salute that can present artistes like this onstage."
"The last time they played in Jamaica was in 1978, with Bob Marley. Burning Spear's band played for them," he said.
First for Sanchez
It will be Sanchez's first time on 'Rebel Salute' and Assassin's third, Tony Rebel saying, "we see Assassin as one of the promising dancehall deejays."
Getting people to the party quickly will be a priority, and according to Rebel, "We are making sure that we get the road clear again this year."
This was supported by Senior Superintendent Ealan Powell of the Traffic Department, who said, "prior to the last staging of the show, there was one major problem and it was not security. It had a traffic problem. People were taking extended hours to get to the venue."
He said Tony Rebel had approached the Traffic Department with the situation and they had examined the site, drawn a few maps and given some advice. The result was that, "Last year it was the easiest that patrons had it to get to the show.
"We are not getting complacent and saying there is no more work to be done. We are committed to you getting there safely and on time. We expect you to get there even faster this time, We do not want you to drive fast. Just drive at your regular speed and we will get you there," he advised.
There was music, beginning with Seymour Mullings on piano and ending with Irie Love, supported by the C Sharpe Band, as well as many a speech on a programme where representatives of several sponsors, including Tru-Juice, bMobile, Jamguy Food Processors and Super Plus Food Stores, as well as Mutabaruka and guest speaker Peter Moses, spoke to the substantial gathering.
And Rebel was pleased with the show's sponsors, saying, "None of them said 'Tony, you have to sell all-cohol'. I said we don't need to sell even one-cohol."
