[Review] Buju Banton & Jahmali Live
Carlos Culture
Greetings Reggae Massive,
Buju Banton, Jahmali & The Shiloh Band recently scorched a trail of blazing Reggae
wickedness! The Inna Heights Tour has just tore-up 32 cities in the United
States and are forwarding to England for five more shows. In support of a new
album/CD entitled "Inna Heights" on the Penthouse/VP labels, Buju and crew
delivered two explosive nights of lyrical artillery which relied heavily on a
culturally minded assault back-to-back in So Cal. After mesmerizing the Bay
Area roots posse at the Maritime Hall on Thursday night, The Golden Sails in
Long Beach and The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach were next on the JA tour de
force. Prior to Buju touching down on the West Coast, reports have
consistently concluded that the Jamaican "Inner Heights" invasion was a raving
success. In addition to all the California stops, sell-outs were business as
usual along the way from Miami to Chicago and eventually ending up in San
Diego. Both of the Southern California shows were pure entertainment from
start to finish.
The Shiloh Band was introduced onstage sounding harder than ever. Buju
has disciplined his backing band into a dancehall bonanza, capable of firing
shots everytime. At their San Diego appearance, the three back-up singers
were given the opportunity to each sing a song. Of honorable mention was
Juliet Tucker, who is closely related to the famed Junior Tucker. Yet, every
performer sang their heart out and were awesome in their own way.
Next, Jahmali, a young dreadlocks Rastafarian singer, on his first tour
outside of Jamaica took the stage in a very impressive manner. This soulful
singer out of Clarendon, who is definitely headed for Reggae stardom, has nuff
conscious lyrics and a super sweet voice. He sang wicked tunes like "Lighting,
Brimstone, and Fire (for all you heartless vampires)", "Matters Not",
"Victory", "Praise Up Jah", "Let Me Live", and "El Shadai". Look out for a full
length album/CD from this rising star in '98.
Now it was time for JA's Top DJ - "Gargamel" - Buju Banton, the reigning
Dancehall King. The shows were mind-blowing! They were incredible
performances. If anyone had any doubts about Buju Banton and what makes him so
popular...put them to rest. Buju
opened his sets offstage with "Our Father In Zion" and continued into "'Til
Shiloh". A seemingly slow start to what would become hardcore Reggae madness.
Reeling off hit after hit Buju sang, deejayed, danced and swayed his tall
structure all over the stage. Things got hot quick with songs like "Chuck It
So", "I Wanna Be Loved", "Destiny" and "Love Dem Bad". The crowds were so into
the performances they could easily be seen with one in the air, singing along,
jumping up and down. Not just one and two people here and there, but people
everywhere in front, in back, and sides! There was a definite transfer of
energy going both ways. Sometimes he would stop to sing and look right into
the audience's eyes. Other times, he would work the stage back and forth.
Occasionally "Gargamel" would tease the crowd by dipping shoulders and causing
all in the house to go wild.
Banton performed monster hits like "Only Man", "It's All Over", "Champion" and
"Murderer". Buju even went back to his early chartbusters like "Big it Up",
Love Mi Browning" and "Black Woman". His rough style was what the people
wanted; he rocked nonstop. Four tracks of the new CD: "African Pride", "Hills
and Valleys", "Destiny" and a Ska sizzler "Small Axe Fall Big Tree" were
showcased in concert and they were all well received. "Untold Stories", "Till
I'm Laid to Rest", "Your Love", "Deportees", "It's Not An Easy Road", "God Of
My Salvation" and "Movie Star" were also in the mix each night for rip roaring
times. Toward the end of the show he busted out the boomshots--"Love Sponge"
and "Politics Time".
These were the best shows I've seen Buju Banton do. I saw Buju tear-up
Sunsplash '92 and Sumfest '95 (with Wayne Wonder). I'm still speechless. But,
many of you have seen Buju and left the place disappointed because he had an
off night, the band wasn't up to par yet or he lacked that spark which made
him so great. No disrespect as he has still been putting out solid smash hits.
I feel the performance side was lacking since the days of "Stamina Daddy",
when he
would pull right up front somewhere and just go off into the crowd dipping
shoulders or moving his body. Sometimes he would even drop lines for the
crowd to fill in. My opinion is that he was unfocused on stage, emitting
uneven energy throughout. At the giant arena shows or
amphitheaters he would go from end to end nonstop and never really settle in
one spot for too long. Making eye contact with the superstar was unlikely.
Even this
year at Sumfest '97, he was doing the same thing--all over the stage and not making
eye contact. The show was still good and I liked it, but he could have worked
the people more-- not the stage.
Now on this solo tour he seems more at ease on and offstage. The smaller
venues have definitely had a positive effect. He is now touching the
massive's hands
while on stage, having a good time while crutching an Ethiopian processional cross.
Catch him or miss out!
Raspectfully,
Carlos Culture
BlakPlanet
Thanks for the great review. I was lucky to catch him in DC and it was the best
set I've seen in a long, long time. He's definately maturing as a performer,
and I agree with your comments about seeing him in smaller venues vs. on
Sunsplash.
His live energy is unreal.
Never miss him!
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