( L - R ) Shaggy and Nanko - File photos

Reggae drove the temperature up in Cannes, France, on Tuesday night.

Ten years after he took the stage at MIDEM in France Shaggy, the diamond-selling Grammy award-winning artiste, headlined a talented line-up on the 'Sounds of Jamaica Night Showcase;', which introduced some fresh Jamaican faces to an international audience.

Despite the six degree Celsius temperature outside the Mediterranee at the Palais des Festivals, the temperature inside the 'Sounds of Jamaica' showcase was hot. The venue quickly over ran its capacity and persons clamoured outside to get in.

Unable to enter the venue, a second audience watched the show from just outside the doors of the Meditarranee, located on the third floor of the Palais. Other events taking place at MIDEM at the same time as 'Sounds of Jamaica' suffered, as reports were that they played to virtual empty venues.

The concert also featured the Gumption Band, with Shaggy's Hot Shots Band providing the backing for him and the other Big Yard artistes. Richie B of Hot 102 emceed the show.

Omar Reid, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's 2006 Popular Song Winner, opened the show with a mellow and smooth vibe, going through Dance With Me and Eva Bun a Herb, followed by his winning entry in the contest, Remember the Day.

Omar was followed by Oba Simba, whose strong vocals and deep mix of lovers rock and roots reggae built the vibe of the crowd. With his locks flashing and dressed in his Rastafarian regalia, Oba Simba flawlessly delivered Two Roads, Movin' On and Lion's Touch.

Ladies did well

( L - R ) Tessanne Chin and Etana

The ladies were next in the line up and Jovi Rockwell took to the stage and rocked the house with, among others, her Rizzla and It's All About Love. At one point, Jovi got so into her act she jokingly threatened to dive in to the crowd.

Etana lived up to the meaning of her name, 'The Strong One', delivering a powerful performance with Wrong Address, Buss a Meditation, Newsclear and Roots. In the song entitled Roots, she told the story of a boy, Lamin, from Gambia, who was beaten and forbidden to use his native language.

Tessanne Chin gave a great performance, going through the paces with Black Books, Messenger and ending with Hideaway. Appearing in a red-hooded outfit, Tessanne took the Palais through her fusion of reggae, soul and rock.

It was again over to the men as Da'Ville delivered on his promise with I Promise and his hit, Always on My Mind. Da'Ville paid homage to Jamaican greats by performing a number of their songs, including So I'll Wait For You by Freddie McGregor.

He was followed by Nanko, who in his quiet but effective style delivered Loco Amor and Lucky You, which had the crowd singing along.

The Hot Shots Band took to the stage at approximately 10:30 p.m. and then it was the show of shows from the Big Yard Label. The label represented with the smooth bad boy Rayvon chanting, among other songs, Private Dancer, I Don't Give Damn, Story of My Life and Games We Play.

Fever pitch

Rayvon took the temperature in the Palais up a notch and later Shaggy brought it to fever pitch.

Shaggy entered the stage with Wild2Nite, then reeled off a slate of hits in true Shaggy style. He went vintage with Oh Carolina, then moved the energy even higher with Boombastic. He was joined on stage by Rayvon for Angel and Summertime, and then by Rik Rok for It Wasn't Me.

In a performance punctuated by gyrations and jibes, Shaggy and his crew drove the Palais wild. In the encore, Shaggy and Tony Gold sang Sexy Lady.