C-Sharp's 'Invitation' a memorable concert

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

If Edna Manley College (EMC) was a parent and the band C-Sharp its child, undeniably the institution would have burst with pride.

The all-male band members are products of the School of Music at EMC. On Friday, they showcased their extraordinary talents in an event dubbed, 'In Celebration of our Tenth Anniversary, C-Sharp Presents The Invitation Concert'. The occasion also served as a public launch of their album titled The Invitation.

But the album launch will not be remembered for the playing of the Jamaican anthem at the start, the pledge said at the closing or that for the most part, the songs were performed in their entirety. Instead, it will be remembered for a slate of fine performers who joined an extraordinary band of talented Jamaicans. Combined, they had the audience responding to creatively written poems and songs that spoke the language of philosophy, love and spirituality as well as voiced social commentary.

There were two parts to the concert. Part one employed some friends of the group. Abebe Payne got the celebration going with the sounds of word power. Conversely, it was Racquel Jones in her risqué outfit that seemed to have connected the best. The two speakers of words were armoured with pure music from Blue Print (another band from EMC), Sherieta Lewis and 'All Together Sing' Judge Michael Sean Harris.

C-Sharp took over the stage of the in-demand Jamaica College auditorium, after intermission. And, from the first note, it was clear why their performance was highly anticipated. Also, in part two of the concert, the friends included Tarrus Riley, Tony Rebel, Cat Coore and Busy Signal.

Electric performance

The first jolt of their electric performance came from a rock fusion titled Family. Then it was on to Reggae My Song, with a slight change in tempo. The skills on display were only matched by the beauty of the panel of lights from LIME that were used to decorate the stage.

Chit-chat preceded I'll Be There and succeeding songs. These included the bluesy sounding Nurse, the playful Heart of A Child and a scathing look at paedophilia in the song What's Wrong with the World.

Before singing What's Wrong with the World, keyboardist and vocalist, Dwain Cambell-Fletcher, said the song was one that he enjoyed playing. He also said that he was not afraid to speak about child molestation, "I am not going to support it." He chided the relevant authorities for banning Queen Ifrica's Daddy Don't Touch Me There. And after relating a story told to him by a guidance counsellor at a school, he concluded with "You'd be surprise to know the people who are involved." He then asked that "All responsible parents big up yourself." And then the band commenced the very sobering selection.

Busy Signal, Cat Coore, Tarrus Riley, and Tony Rebel were heralded to the stage with a brief story on the part each played in the in the group's growth over the 10 years. The announcer was Aeion 'Yaaka' Hoilett, the bass guitarist.

Riley and Rebel were their usual best, albeit their appearances were brief. Cat Coore, not only apologised for Bunny Rug's absence, but used the opportunity to pay tribute to his father, who was a Jamaica College old boy. Then he and C-Sharp gave a delightful performance of Better Days Coming. Busy Signal, however, gave more than just a 'passing-through' appearance.

Looking rather dapper in a suit and tie, he bounced unto the stage to join Chevaughn Clayton, lead vocalist, with the singing of the title track, The Invitation. But while Riley and Rebel gave a taste of great performance, the Busy one gave a full-course meal. He thrilled the audience with Sweet Love, One More Night and Kenny Roger's The Gambler. And for appetiser he sang a medley of gospel selections, almost stealing the spotlight. But a well-thought-out placement of songs prevented that. The dancing audience was on a high as Signal left the stage. However, as they had done before, C-Sharp reclaimed the show with the sobering philosophical Heptones Book of Rules.

And the amazing show that began on Friday concluded in the wee hours of Saturday morning with a chant of Fly Away Home followed by a Kumina selection See the Moon Arise. As the curtains came down, Andrew Lawrence, the show's MC said it best about the band, "they make you laugh, sing, dance and reflect". His words of "Good music takes you through the gamut of emotion but leaves you refreshed," were also an applicable description of the songs on the CD, The Invitation.