As you draw to an end and entertainment critics globally begin penning their ‘best-of’ and ‘greatest-flops’ categories, I sought out to give you a year-end piece with a noticeably smaller ambition. To be honest 2017 began with daring resolutions, as the New Year often does – you know – like attempting to listen to an out-of-the-box genre in hopes of discovering new talents. How did it go, you may ask? Did I fulfil my extended New Year’s list? Let’s just say some entertainers are better left undiscovered.
Chronixx performing during his Chronology Tour in JA
Ah, 2017… these past 12 months were truly something else. The year seemingly appeared to fly by so quickly, but not without delivering some of the most compelling albums. From Kelissa’s intricate vocal delivery on Spellbound, Bugle’s militancy on Be Yourself, Christopher Martin’s suave approach to Big Deal and Queen Ifrica’s eye-opening utopia with Climb to Morgan Heritage’s joyful Rastafarian awakening with Abracadabra. And then there was Chronixx’ authenticity and transparency on Chronology, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley’s reintroduction with Stony Hil and certainly Jesse Royal’s ability to paralyse you with pure entertainment and ignite your every musical desire with Lily In Da Valley…. our playlists were littered with the irresistible and musical offering.
Redemption Live
What more could we ask for? Of course, there were the events we couldn’t get enough of. The grounds of the Richmond Estate in St Ann bled with screams of “Jah!”, “Rastafari!” and “Selassie-I!” over the two-day festival of Rebel Salute as patrons rocked from left to right in an easy ‘skank’ while channelling the melodies melting from bass guitars. As the concert celebrated its 24th anniversary, performers held nothing back and ensured that showgoers were kept on a high for this mystical musical ride.
Bacchanal 2017
Then there was the Bacchanal and Carnival season. Dazed with colourful costumes, fast-temporal instrumentals, beautiful people Saturday, December 2 at Mas Camp in Kingston and Pier 1 in Montego Bay, respectively. The two-night event kept the sea of anonymous faces spellbound with encore-riddled sets and of course a reggae-flavoured musical escape as the fast-rising reggae sensation performed most tracks from the album, including hits such as I Can, Skankin Sweet and the airwave favourite Likes.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #5 November-December 2017
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As you draw to an end and entertainment critics globally begin penning their ‘best-of’ and ‘greatest-flops’ categories, I sought out to give you a year-end piece with a noticeably smaller ambition. To be honest 2017 began with daring resolutions, as the New Year often does – you know – like attempting to listen to an out-of-the-box genre in hopes of discovering new talents. How did it go, you may ask? Did I fulfil my extended New Year’s list? Let’s just say some entertainers are better left undiscovered.
What more could we ask for? Of course, there were the events we couldn’t get enough of. The grounds of the Richmond Estate in St Ann bled with screams of “Jah!”, “Rastafari!” and “Selassie-I!” over the two-day festival of Rebel Salute as patrons rocked from left to right in an easy ‘skank’ while channelling the melodies melting from bass guitars. As the concert celebrated its 24th anniversary, performers held nothing back and ensured that showgoers were kept on a high for this mystical musical ride.
Then there was the Bacchanal and Carnival season. Dazed with colourful costumes, fast-temporal instrumentals, beautiful people Saturday, December 2 at Mas Camp in Kingston and Pier 1 in Montego Bay, respectively. The two-night event kept the sea of anonymous faces spellbound with encore-riddled sets and of course a reggae-flavoured musical escape as the fast-rising reggae sensation performed most tracks from the album, including hits such as I Can, Skankin Sweet and the airwave favourite Likes.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #5 November-December 2017
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