More support for Japan

Dancehall veterans perform after launch of 'Starting Over'

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

The day before Easter Monday, a few seasoned dancehall singers performed for the Japanese post-earthquake relief cause at Studio 38, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston. It was a continuation, in a small way, of the strong bond between Japan and Jamaica through Jamaican music. Not only was Japansplash, staged up to the mid-1990s, at one point one of the premier Jamaican music festivals in the world, but Jamaican music has taken hold of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Among the numerous homegrown Japanese artistes who have sprung up are Ackee and Saltfish, while Japanese have established a strong presence in Jamaica, with dancer Junko Bashment winning one staging of the Dancehall Queen contest and Mighty Crown beating all comers to take a Death Before Dishonour sound system-clash title.

Both competitions took place in Montego Bay, St James.

On Sunday night, though, it was compassion and collaboration, not a contest, as Triston Palma, Little John, Carl Dawkins and Junior Reid performed at a special staging of the regular Kingston Rock event to show Jamaica's support for Japan.

The turnout was low, but included a high proportion of Japanese.

And Japanese nationals' ongoing involvement in Jamaican music was shown by Yumi's mobile system providing the sound, as she selected the music, with Jun hosting. Kingston Rock is staged by Ai Irisawa.

support and calibre

The entertainment package followed the official launch of the multi-performer song, Starting Over, featuring Bunny Wailer, Josey Wales and Yellowman, among others, proceeds from which will also go towards the earthquake relief effort. It was brief but gave ample room for the singers to show their support and calibre, to the audience's delight.

Triston Palma started out with Entertainment to the expected enthusiastic response for a dancehall standard. He soon called up Little John, who made it clear that the support was mutual. "Me haffi love Japanese people. Them put food pon my table. You know how much time me deh a my yard an' Japanese people come full up my pocket," he said, with his customary good cheer.

He sang All Over Me and showed he is the original Clarks Bootie man, Mud Up delighting the audience especially. Little John also did his take on Dutty Wine, singing "dem cyaa wine, dem cyaa dance, dem cyaa do a ting, Dutty Wine mash dem up".

Together, Palma and John paid homage to Sugar Minott with DC.

Carl Dawkins, snazzy in all-blazing red, save for his cream-coloured hat, was in his standard superb showman's mode as he delivered Give Me the Right Love and Satisfaction, throwing his entire body into his delivery, jacket and all. The audience fully appreciated it all, what with Dawkins' voice also in fine nick.

Junior Reid closed the live performance segment of the night with the longest performance, dipping into his hip-hop catalogue first - rapping like Fabulous and The Game, to boot - then singing his new song with Notice Productions and the very popular Foreign Mind and One Blood.

Reid closed with a chant for Japan and, after he left, Jun said that not only is Japanese Thursdays staged at Reid's club, but he also gives his support to a school.

The performances over, Yumi underscored the musical link between Japan and Jamaica with Half Pint's One Big Family.