Beenie Man brings back 'Memories'

Curry Fest continues to be a hit

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau

Beenie Man has reclaimed his position in dancehall as an unyielding entertainer who has the capacity to draw a huge crowd by giving a masterful performance at the 13th staging of Westmoreland Curry Festival at Mannings High School on Sunday.

The veteran dancehall act took his performance the old-school route when he delved into his hits of the '90s, which allowed him to soar to stardom and cement his place in the entertainment business as a bankable artiste.

Songs like Memories, Modelling, Old Dog, Nuff Gal, and Slam, rendered the entertainer, in his well-tailored suit, unstoppable.

Beenie Man would go on to close the show in fine style and show why he was still relevant after years of changes in the business and personal problems to boot.

The audience at the Bigga-sponsored Curry Festival responded to every song, 'The Doctor' delivered, relishing the fact that he gave young and old dancehall fans something to which they could relate.

A tag team effort from Spice and Bigga's brand ambassador, Tifa, was superb, especially given the limited time they had available as the pair only made it to the stage as the show narrowed to a close.

Spice spared no time, charging into a set list that included Fight Over Man, A Nuh My Fault and Slim vs. Fluffy.

Due to time constraints, Spice had to rush activities with Rampin' Shop but not before she left stage with Jim Screechie.

Tifa did not have to spell out what she had planned for patrons at Curry Fest, as she did Bottom of the Barrel, Why You Mad, which she did with Spice.

Her Hold On single registered well with the patrons who sang the song with her as she made her exit.

Previous performances from Edge Michael, Ken Boothe, Lovindeer and Ernie Smith added value to the event which offered diverse entertainment.

After a five-year hiatus from performing in his home parish, reggae star Edge Michael delivered an excellent set.

The entertainer, who recently returned to Jamaica from a tour of the United States, held nothing back, getting the audience to sing along as he did favourites such as Deep River Woman, Mi Nah Talk and his most recent hit, Killsome City.

Curry Fest was first staged back in 2001 as the main fund-raiser for the Manning's School, and while all 12 previous stagings were held on the school's grounds, its pool of benefactors now include the Savanna-la-Mar Infirmary, the Llandilo School of Special Education, The Westmoreland Association of Street People, and several basic schools across the parish.