Party goers wanted more 'Off Tha Wall'

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Unlike last November when the party went on until daylight, Saturday night's much-anticipated 'Off Tha Wall Retro Party' at the Pier One Complex, in Montego Bay, ended at 4 a.m. when a police team ordered the sound system turned off.

The order brought to a close a fantastic night of entertainment.

While patrons, primarily persons over 40 years old, obeyed police instructions and promptly left the scenic seaside venue, disappointment was etched on many faces.

"'Off Tha Wall' is a big people party and since it only happens twice a year, I believe the police should not have stopped it," said a female patron who was obviously not pleased.

"I have been here since midnight and all I have I have seen is love and harmony," she said.

Prior to the arrival of the police, the jam-packed venue was bubbling with excitement as Captain Colin Hines, DJ Marvin of Fame FM and promoter Nash Lawson, in his capacity as DJ Turbo, took patrons down memory lane, evoking many a pleasant memory with trademark party hit songs of the 1970s, '80s and '90s.

In fact, when the police arrived against the backdrop of the pulsating beat of Shabba Ranking's dancehall hit, Trailer Load A Girls, many of the patrons were thoroughly wet from perspiration but were still dancing.

A little disappointed

"We are a little bit disappointed that we had to cut it short, but I am sure it was another memorable occasions for our loyal fans and those who were new to the experience," said Lawson, who heads After 10 Productions.

When the party started at approximately 11 p.m, there were just a few dozen patrons inside. That inside was exquisitely decorated in black and white to capture the "Off Tha Wall" theme, which got its name and concept from the Michael Jackson hit song of the same name.

By the time DJ Marvin took control of the turntables at mid-night, dancing patrons had filled most of the empty spaces, rocking to songs such as Admiral Bailey's No Way no Better Than Yard; Shabba Ranking's Get Up And Rock; and Sophia George's Girlie Girlie, as the magical glow of the elevated disco lights added to a fantastic party atmosphere.

The tempo flew up several notches when DJ Colin Hines took over the controls and delved straight into his roots rock reggae selection.

Dazzling grove

Lovers became entwined with each other as classics such Admiral Bailey's, Horse Tonic; Pincher's, For Your Eyes Only; and Little John, All Over Me took centre stage.

When DJ Turbo, who came to the fore in the 1980s and plays regular party gigs around Montego Bay, took over the control tower shortly after 1 a.m., his versatility came to the fore immediately as, after starting out with songs like Dennis Brown's Revolution and Barrington Levy's Here I Come, he slipped into a dazzling disco grove before rolling effortlessly into soca and calypso.

After several additional bouts with Captain Colin Hines, DJ Marvin and DJ Turbo, it was clear that the patrons were bracing for the long haul when the police showed up.

The second of the biyearly party will be staged on the last Saturday in November.