- Night one Friday January 19th 2024
RCS is thrilled to once again attend the preservation of reggae by Patrick Barrett JP OD aka Tony Rebel’s Birthday celebration known as Rebel Salute, one of the stellar reggae festivals in Jamaica held in Plantation Cove, St Ann’s. The 30th anniversary of Rebel Salute has an outstanding lineup including the best of the best in reggae music: The wonderful 3rd world, Luciano, Josey Wales, Mikey Spice, Queen Africa, Sanchez, Horace Anthony B, To name just a few. I always try to describe the ambience of being at Rebel Salute.
It is wonderful to escape the cold of New York. It was 18 degrees when I left to a balmy 87 degrees in St Ann’s Jamaica . I ate before I attended the concert, because Rebel Salute is an alcohol and meat-free zone. I’m sure I’ll need some vegan soup by 2:00 AM, or Ital, as it’s referred to in Rebel Salute. At the festival, as always, you’ll find the herb curb and the Arts and crafts village. One of the earliest performers was Tappa Zukie. Wow one of my favorites. I have not heard his name in a while. Growing up in London I often listened to Tappa Zukie. He explained that he had produced songs like putting up a resistance, guess who’s coming to dinner, he said he has 60 songs, Jamaica only plays one “People are you ready Bow O lord” . The next veteran DJ was Lone Ranger, do you all remember Barnabas Collins? lyrics like best inna de business he’ll Barney through your neck like a Wrigley’s, love bump was also one of his. Next came the soulful voice of Benji Myers with hits like My father my friend and Time. Next up was veteran Leroy Gibbons 4 season lover, Lovers’ question. Richie Stevens introduced a new song Cyaa go round it. I loved it the audience enjoyed it also. The actual title is Heartbeat. The Vice-Mayor Alexandra P Davis of Miramar gave Tony Rebel a citation for excellence and commemorating 30 years of Rebel Salute. After he accepted his citation, he took the stage. He actually gave a short set Patrick Barrett AK Tony Rebel was in his element celebrating his birthday and 30 years of preserving reggae music. He danced and pranced and engaged with the audience. One of the things, which I appreciated, he told the audience that we were his biggest sponsors he thanked all the other sponsors like the Jamaica tourist board ROK hotel et cetera but thanked us his audience. He sang his hits fresh vegetable, just friends, sweet Jamaica.
Third World. the Reggae Ambassadors celebrating 50 years in the music business graced, the stage they introduced Kumar formerly of Ragin Fyah and George a French reggae singer to sing three little birds. Mutabaruka, the Dup Poet, MC Introduced Sanchez as one of the top five singers in Jamaica he said he was his opinion and I agree most of his songs are covers but I actually prefer his versions over the originals he sang hits like wherever I lay my hat that’s my home, I can’t wait till the morning comes, lonely won’t leave me alone. Sanchez always delivers I was glad he came on earlier this year because a couple of years ago he came on at 7:30 in the morning and I had been there since 8:00 PM the previous evening and I just had to leave I got a couple of songs but had to leave while he was still on the stage I was exhausted. My favorite Sanchez songs are Doesn’t really matter too much to me nd missing you now. The audience sang along to all his songs. Tony Rebel stated that for this year he has less artists so that the artists can perform 45 minute sets. Next was the smooth voice of Glen Washington, the audience loved him, Don’t take my Sweetness for weakness. he sang a duet with his wife Jackie, Let it be me, they did an awesome job . I’ve heard them before I believe on a cruise, they sang together she told me she was his backing singer and she is his manager. The beautiful melodic soulful voices continued with the wonderful deep voiced Mikey Spice he started his set with Anthony Hamilton’s everybody needs some love in their life. And of course he sang the song we all love I am myself. Anthony B brought the fire at 4:00 AM people including me were sleepy anthony B jumped on stage we all woke up he ran on stage shouting wake up wake up he brought the fire Seen Anthony be several times most recently in December on the Jamrock cruise and again fire FYAH. He’s so energetic I love his one-legged dance one leg in the air his body is almost T shaped I need dances almost like he’s doing a karate kick to his energetic music love him.
Night 2 Saturday January 20th 2024
The second night of rebel salute started with Tanzi Tony Rebel’s daughter, Daviana another daughter of Tony Rebel also sang, she introduced her brother Pato Barret don stage, who she said did 15 years in prison. They all gave good performances the Barrett clan can sing. Next came Imeru Tafari, queen Ifrika song really loved him yet positive lyrics. Next was Delly ranks he gave a really energetic performance I have not seen him in a while. I remember his Jiggy time hit. Veteran performers Linval Thompson and Hugh Brown sang black Star Liner. Horace Andy sang sky larking; just say who. Then came Little John who sang all over me, Sharon a pregnant you pregnant. Was happy to see Josey Wales who was recovering from an illness. Lone Ranger gave a nice performance. Does anyone remember in the song Lone Ranger took his girl to a show. What did you give the girl “ice mint and ice water song rasta me did bruck.
Women are always represented well at rebel salute Etana gave a very nice performance. The audience loved her. Queen Africa came out with this glorious hairstyle . She said her stylist made this great round hairstyle that represented the womb. You will see pictures with this review. She gave an outstanding performance as always. She started with Calling all the children of Africa with a great percussion and African and kumina drumming. She brought her daughter Tanzie on stage to sing. Her parents are Tony Rebel and Queen. She’s very talented. She sang I will rise up. Queen Ifrica ended her set with her big hit Lioness on the Rise.
Next came a Rebel Salute sound clash. It was supposed to be with Sky Juice of Metro media, but it was between Dynamic and Baby Wayne. Baby Wayne started strong but could not beat The African crocodile Dynamq. When presented with the trophy by Mutabaruka, Muta told him that he disappointed him when he failed to win the clash on the Jamrock cruise and lost his crown. He was beaten by Jah works from Japan.
Sean Paul made his first appearance in the 30-year history of Rebel Salute. He sang several of his international hits. He invited guest artist Chi Ching Ching and Ding Dong. Luciano the Messenjah entered the stage and as always started with a prayer. Sweep over my soul. He gave us all our favorites He gave an outstanding performance. Other performers such as Leroy Smart and Capleton brought the fire. Once again, speaking for myself, when we were feeling sleeping, (it was now daylight) Capleton came on the stage jumping and running across the stage in his red black and gold outfit.
Rebel Salute came to an abrupt end after Iwayne’s performance because it went overtime leaving Fantan Mojah and Turbulence without opportunity to perform. I actually saw the police heading to the stage and they told the band to stop playing.
All in all, Rebel Salute 30 was fantastic. We witnessed the best of real reggae music. We thank Tony Rebel for his part in the Preservation of Reggae Music.
See you at the next one.
The Dutchess.
