Danger averted, Cocoa Tea saves Sumfest: Beres Hammond honoured during brilliant performance

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:Reggae superstar Cocoa Tea did not need to be inspired by legends to save Reggae Sumfest on Friday.

Cocoa Tea, in fact, showed why he is among the legends when he, more than shouldered the task of taking over from an absent R. Kelly.

Although not originally billed to perform at Reggae Sumfest this year, the diminutive artiste from Clarendon showed his iconic prowess as he entered centre stage with a powerful chant, signalling his intent to save the night.

R. Kelly was scheduled to perform on Friday International Night 1, but pulled out of the event on Wednesday after completing emergency throat surgery. Doctors have asked R. Kelly to rest and have not given a date for his full recovery.

In the midst of what must be, unreservedly, one of the best performances of the festival, an assured Cocoa Tea used the opportunity to remind the organisers of the power of Jamaica's music and the living legends who are still able to capture and pull a large following who appreciates their music.

hit after hit

"I was not billed to perform at Sumfest," he said with a smile, as he reasoned with an attentive audience.

"See it there, dem book overseas artiste and look what happen."

When he asked the crowd, copying the melody of his hugely popular Tune In, if they missed R. Kelly there was a resounding "no".

The Rikers Island artiste had the crowd under his spell, firing an onslaught of hit after hit. The night was saved.

Cocoa Tea paved the way Friday night for his colleague Beres Hammond to wreak further musical havoc at Reggae Sumfest and take home the show in fine style.

With almost an hour's worth of non-stop, high-energy performance from the music great, Beres did not have enough time to sing all his hit songs, and wasted no time in doing them one behind the other to the delight of screaming fans. His hard work in music over the last 35 years did not go unnoticed, as the Sumfest organisers honoured the icon on International Night 1 with a plaque and a framed picture, listing his achievements.

Earlier, a witty Tanya Stephens, who had been absent from Reggae Sumfest for some three years, could do no wrong in her 30-minute performance.

Stephens, whose music catalogue dwarfs several other female reggae and dancehall counterparts, felt right at home as she told ladies how to Handle the Ride.

It's a pity Tanya did not havemore time to talk about These Streets, as fans were left almost breathless after Handle the Ride and Boom Wuk.

Chris Martin showed tremendous growth and stage presence as he injected a hungry Reggae Sumfest crowd with Paper Trail. The crowd sang every note. Martin paced his set well, pausing at regular intervals in the song to talk to his fans.

With renditions from Sam Cooke and the absent R. Kelly, the set was brilliant. Take My Wings flew into the hearts of patrons as he reminded his female fans of his avid love for women of all races with his international hit single, Come Where You Going.

A high-energy performance by Richie Loop had the crowd rocking through his catalogue of party hits. The artiste, known for My Cup and Party Like It's Your Birthday, gave a full 15-minute performance as he incorporated dancers in his set.

Earlier, Paul Elliott dedicated a song to his mother with Save Me Oh Jah before he closed his short-yet-effective performance with Real Ting.

Prophecy sought to eke out renewed appreciation for one-drop reggae with his song Fight The Fight. The response suggested it had worked.

Following the great performances by Cocoa Tea and Beres Hammond, Half Pint and Bunny Wailer struggled to capture the same response. Nevertheless, they scored a favourable response from the crowd that witnessed a night comparable to any in the festival's 19-year history.