3 weeks ago
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Rootsman Skankin, the concert in celebration of the 78th earthday of reggae icon, Bunny Wailer last Thursday, was one of those intimate affairs that was overflowing with big show vibes.
Well aware of his role in preserving his father’s legacy, Bunny Wailer’s only son, Abijah, aka Naki Wailer, put on a show that would have made his father proud, and his mother, Sequoia, who was present at the Greenvale Avenue, St Andrew space, and whose design he was wearing, was beaming.
The nearly four hours of “pure niceness” included a bit of drumming; solid selections from Caveman Braveman sound system; expert backing from the tight, 10-piece Solomonic Reggaestra, Bunny Wailer’s original backing band; and riveting performances from up-and-coming, as well as established acts. Sharing emcee duties with Abijah was none other than Sample Man.
Early performers were the Affirmation Band, Horace ‘Spechinal’ Mitchell and Sashoné Mitchell, Marlon Brown, Bijean and Bongo Herman, who “neva book fi it, but come look fi it”. Bongo, who has a long history with the Wailers, toasted the late Jah B with the traditional Happy Birthday song and borrowed the line “ one more year pon dem” from Busy Signal’s popular birthday tune.
With his tracks not playing as intended, Bongo, ever the story-teller, provided some “LOL moments” as he regaled fans with what sounded like tales from Jamaica’s musical crypt. For example, there was a certain producer who “have three gun and a cow cod ... and when yuh nah sing di song dem right him shoot out the light bulb”.
“Being a foundation performer ... mi come from outta Miss Lou school ... every time I hit the stage, I know what to do ... entertain the people. Mi a do this ting from baby days, from me a boy, and me travel the world ... the only place me nuh go a pon di moon,” the 81-year-old Bongo told The Gleaner.
While the Solomonic Reggaestra was preparing to take the stage, Caveman took control of the lawn with selections mainly from the extensive catalogue of Bunny Wailer, which were designed to keep guests rocking on the Ballroom Floor. Others used the time to check out the food offerings, skin care products from Eartha Imani and items from designer, Sequoia’s Ites International brand.
Showtime resumed with the talented Bobo Shabba, accompanied by his huge Rasta flag, making a plea for peace, unity and perfect love with Don’t Touch That Trigger. Anointed continued the theme of positive music and Naki Wailer, who was the glue that bonded all the performances together, brought onstage and paid tribute to the legendary Beverley Kelso, the only living Wailer. Sounding like the record, Kelso sang a few lines of Simma Down.
Also representing that era of Wailers was Andrew Tosh, the son of Peter Tosh. Lighting a spliff onstage, Andrew Tosh was strong on Bunny Wailer’s Fighting Against Convictions ( Battering Down Sentence) and his father’s Legalise It.
King Izem (a deejay who “a represent fi reggae music”), Iley Celestial, Izzy Israel, MediSun, and Imeru Tafari were all there to “give honour and tribute to the great man Jah B”.
FIRE BURNING
Scorching hot like the flames from the contained wood fire that burned at the venue, Bushman took charge of the stage at10:51 p.m. crooning “ Jah love is like a burning fire, and kept the fire theme ablaze with Fire Bun a Weak Heart and turned the entire crowd into fire-chanting Rastas.
Remember the Days, Lighthouse, and Call the Hearse were among the hit songs which Bushman subsequently delivered during his too-short 20 minutes onstage. As he always does, he gave a bredren – this time Lucan I – a few minutes to shine during his set.
Modest attire was the hallmark of the females on the line-up, Davianah and Iyansa, an up-and-coming reggae act based in Puerto Rico. Iyansa chose to interpret Bunny Wailer’s Dreamland, to great response, including a well-deserved “pull up!” She used her platform to advocate for “more unity among the Caribbean” and urged that islanders take time to learn each other’s languages.
A confident Davianah, looking like a real Rasta empress, put her own spin on Bunny Wailer’s Ballroom Floor, and her whole aura was in keeping with the mood of the song. When she stepped offstage everybody wanted to talk with her and take pictures, which she did willingly.
Naki Wailer offered an apology for veteran Leroy Sibbles, who was absent owing to a double booking, and while he was missed, the presence of the Abyssinians made the time memorable. Sharing that they had to sing a song that was already sung, the group belted out the iconic Dreamland, reinforcing that it was so nice it had to be performed twice.
Showing his understanding of his own assignment, Bunny Wailer’s son, quietly urged the lead singer to highlight original Abyssinian, Donald Manning, the 83-year-old singer, song-writer and founder of the reggae band. Formed half a century ago, the group now comprises Manning, George Henry, an Abyssinian since the early 1970s, Everton Pessoa, and two-time Festival Song Competition winner, Nazzle Man.
Spiritual passionate and flavourful, the Abyssinians performed hits, such as Declaration of Rights and Sattamassagana.
At 11:37, they brought the curtains down on Rootsman Skankin’ with a prayer from the lips of Donald Manning: “Have mercy on us O Jah, sanctify our souls, set aright our thoughts and surround us with thy angels.”
English (US) ·