Omari explains his 'Friends' at album launch

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Gospel artiste Omari launched his album Heal Jamaica, Heal The World with the musical support of quite a few gospel and secular friends on Sunday night.

And, with the friends performing a song each - save for Ryan Mark and Papa San, who performed with him - Omari explained the presence of non-gospel artistes such as Alaine, D Major and Voicemail to the large audience mid-way Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Sunday night.

Before Omari's first appearance in a black vest over yellow shirt, silver cross dangling from matching chain, Prodigal made the album launch Ketch a Fire, Christopher Martin reassured "I'm not worried about tomorrow", and Alaine observed "if I hurt you, I hurt myself", and Kevin Downswell did the slow, moving Close to You.

In his first stint, Omari rode a mix from the band - which was in great nick - to declare "Jesus Christ a boss, me nah make no apology", combined with a lady who stepped out from harmony to share lead vocals and did not restart, even though the audience howled when he demanded "tell me who give you breath this morning".

In a break after a scorching combination with an all black-clad Ryan Mark, who towered over Omari when he draped an arm over his gospel colleague, Kadia Edwards addressed the matter of Omari's secular friends even before he did so himself. "A lot of people are asking why he has D Major, Alaine ... Jesus has called us to such a task as this, to win the lost for him.

"These are friends with my husband," she said. "In this friendship they are wonderful people and beautiful people who God has created in his image. God has a purpose for being here tonight," Edwards said, encouraging all to pray for them.

The second segment was opened by another secular friend of Omari's, Voicemail, who sang Praise His Name and remembered their slain colleague Oneil. Craig told the audience that Oneil's daughter was one year old that day.

"People always say Craig, why you act so spiritual. I say I don't act spiritual, I am spiritual. The music pouring through me come from a higher place," he said.

And Omari was back, decked out in white, to speak life over Jamaica in general and Tivoli, Jungle and Spanish Town specifically. When a reggae beat hit the crowd especially hard, Omari said "Reggae music feel good. This is a blessing from God, man. No make nobody come tell you reggae a devil thing. A did God give we as a vehicle we a go use reach the world!"

Jehovah Guide Me was one of the harder-hitting songs and the Boulevard was on fire when Papa San came out to fuse his rapid-fire delivery with Omari's vocals on Imagine Me, which Omari requested they do again after San had testified to his change to gospel.

And Omari spoke about the presence of his secular friends, saying "I am a Christian and sometimes Christians make me feel condemned, much less sinners." He spoke about the approach to correction, saying "The Bible says correct in love, but not in condemnation. Faith with hope brings hope, not condemnation. Say prayers for them."

Near the end of the launch, Omari called those of his secular friends who were still there on stage and Papa San bestowed a group prayer on them. There was more music left, as Help took the house down one more time.