Great performances at Dominica's World Creole Music Festival

Saturday, November 21, 2009 7:19 AM

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Entertainment

By Howard Turner

Friday, November 06, 2009

Roseau, Dominica - The 2009 instalment of the World Creole Music Festival, the Caribbean's premier creole festival proved to be another spectacular affair for the more than 30,000 music lovers who converged last weekend at the new US$35m world-class Windsor Park Sports Stadium in downtown Roseau. The event, held over three days headlined such international acts like Morgan Heritage, Maxi Priest, Kassav, Tripple Kay and Denise Belfon.

When the curtain fell as the sun rose on Monday morning, it was legendary musical group Morgan Heritage who delivered arguably the best performance of event. The Jamaica-based, New York born group proved a force to be reckoned with, delivering hits like Don't Have Fe Dread To Be Rasta, Tell Me How Come and Down By The River.

Mojo and Peter

Gramps Morgan, currently on tour as a solo artiste with Buju Banton and who earlier this year toured with R&B heavy hitters John Legend and India Arie, had his moment in the spotlight. He used the opportunity to deliver his current smash hit Wash Away The Tears and Everything Will Be Alright which were both well received by fans. Lead singer Peter also gave siblings Una and Mojo solo stints before dismissing rumours of the demise of the group declaring "Heritage for life."

I missed Triple Kay International's performance on Friday night but heard the band known as "The Little Band" rocked the house, while Kassav, a well-established band out of Guadeloupe & Martinique who began their musical journey in 1979, threw down a glittering performance that brought a Sumfest type of a vibe and energy to the stage. With 30 plus albums to their credit, delivering the goods was easy for Kassav. Local Dominican band, Swingin Stars drove the audience to evangelical frenzy with a spine-chilling performance.

When Martinique-born Zouk and dancehall artiste Princess Lover purred her way through the press room on Saturday night before her blistering performance, a hungry mob of photographers, radio and TV crews pounced on her without knowing exactly who she was. She has that rare star-quality, dream package presence that record companies hunt vociferously. Jamaica's Richie B of 102 FM was one of the lucky few who were able to secure an interview. As curious onlookers back stage gawked at Princess' gazelle-like frame, she blew kisses at the throng, her freshly glossed lips pouting with confidence. Most of us had no clue what was to come. Ninety minutes later, on stage, the tantalising temptress proved why she was invited to perform at the three-night festival. She served up almost an hour of the most blistering and erotic hybrid of Zouk and dancehall imaginable - all in French Creole. It didn't matter if one understood the Creole or not, the invitation to join her on-stage romp was crystal clear. Her set remained juicy, it was never vulgar.

"I live out my fantasies on stage, and I speak for the many women across the Caribbean and beyond who are too shy to speak up for themselves, especially after dark," Princess told Dave Rodney of Images Newsletter/151 Reggae Show. One Paris-based music critic described Princess Lover back stage as the future of Zouk and a new millennium version of Grace Jones, but with more sizzle.

When British-based reggae singer Maxi Priest pranced on stage, the crowd roared in anticipation of whar was to be offered. He worked the crowd and had the women tumbling over themselves with the Dennis Brown classic How It Feel To Be Loved. Midway his set, his son Marvin Priest joined him on stage for a surprise cameo. The young Priest worked his magic on Slow Down, however, the high point of his dad's set came when they were joined by New Jersey-based deejay, Bennitton, who had lighters flashing and flags waving on the crossover hit House Call and Jamaica Nice.

The festival showcased a litany of Creole and soca acts including Zin & Allan Cave, La Perfecta, D-Lux Band, Caribbean Vybez, Sweet Mickey, WCK Band, Michelle Henderson and Denise Belfon who light up the stage on the final night. Taking a page from the book of soca Queen Allison Hinds and Machel Montano, the saucy, Soca dancehall Queen commanded the massive, delivering her high energy, exotic, sultry vocals much to the delight of the packed house. Working the stage for a marathon 60 minutes, Belfon had the entire park glued to her every gyration as she delivered hits like Hard Wuk, De Jammette, Saucy Baby, and Indian Man.

The World Creole Music Festival is produced by the Dominica Festivals Commission and is sponsored by Digicel. The annual event is a part of the island's Creole Day and Independence celebrations.

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