One Third - file photos Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
One Third's harmonised 'tra la la la la' at the end of the line "promoter an his idren haffi laugh" was probably the only merriness associated with promoters at Saturday's 'Ruption in the Junction'.
While attendance was sparse at the outset, by 9:00 p.m. the Pines Plaza venue gradually filled to numbers greater than that of previous years.
Fab Five traced the history of a rhythm from 1966 to near present, including Sugar Minott's Mr. DC and Fantan Mojah's Mama Hungry, before settling into supporting band mode, beginning with Juniour Soul. Soul was soulful with Just Enough To Keep Me Hanging On before delivering "a message for Maria". He had more than a message for the ladies, handing out pink gift bags as he sang Stand By Me. Penny For Your Song had the audience chipping along, Rivers of Babylon keeping the tempo going.
There were chuckles when Topping asked the ladies "did you get your fit?", commenting "you tried it on already?".
Screams for One Third
Gem Myers
There were screams for One Third, a pink hat at the fore of the single file, rhythmic walk on stage to the 'Real Rock' rhythm. And there were squeals from the ladies forthe hip prods on "a little bit a dis, a little bit a dat". Despite some substandard harmonies from the trio and a lull when they went into two original songs, Africa and the closing medley, winding up in knee lifts as they went On Top A Things, kept the audience firmly in their corner.
Gem Myers calmly requested don't let me close one more door, smiling with the applause before hitting Mr. Big Stuff, along with some undulating, understated movements of her black pants clad hips. Shame on You got the audience moving, Myers doing a flapping Butterfly to a chant of "rub-a-dub". My Boy Lollipop got the legs moving, the 'first cut' was the first 'pull up' and she walked left and right as she sang "to the left".
In the middle of a co-ordinated "jump for your love", though, power went on stage, taps from the drummer, handclaps from the audience, movement from Myers filling the musically mute minute. On One Man Woman Myers cautioned "me know de song sweet, but me no waan see no man inna Juction a hol' up dem han'".
Ska tribute
The opening lines of Pitta Patta came before Ernie Smith stepped on stage in a white suit. He went deep on the last line of Life Is Just For Living and Roy Dean joined him to drop legs in a ska tribute. Smith sang of "Sunday morning coming down" at 12:40 a.m. and found "tears on my pillow", screams coming in the long pause before the last line. Smith ended a skank-filled set with Duppy or Gunman and Play The Music.
Nadine Sutherland opened the second segment with Big Tingz. After Babyface and At Last, complete with an expressive left hand and a lasting last 'last', she settled into a dancehall groove which had quite a few ladies, especially at the rear, doing rear moves. There was a roar for a Dutty Wine on Anything for You, Ms. Sutherland's braids, a twirling mass, and her right forefinger were a blur for the 'Hot' dance. She deejayed on Action before leaving.
Bob Andy was cool in an extended performance, Unchained and Fire Burning among the songs that were done in full. Rain From the Skies was his tribute to Delroy Wilson on a clear night and the legs moved a bit faster as he sang "I've got to go back home".
Large and in charge
Sugar Minott
George Nooks was large and in charge as he 'pulled' I've Got So Much Love To Give You, Left With a Broken Heart and Bridge Over Troubled Waters as the audience reacted. The hands reached to the sky on How Great Thou Art, the bodies bounced to Zion Gate and he closed with Tribal War to a huge response.
Derrick Morgan stood front and centre, leaning on a cane, as he opened on a reggae note as a Conquerer. The ska hit In My Heart and Fab 5 kept a steady beat as he delivered ska hit after hit. Grub Cooper filled in for Prince Buster to call Morgan a "black head Chiney man" and, before replying with Blazing Fire, Morgan said "bway, him soun' betta dan Busta".
John Holt closed the concert with 15 hit-filled minutes, requesting a "love I can feel" and Stick By Me, ending with Sweetie Come Brush Me. Many were walking away when he was called back for an encore, Carpenter putting the final nail into Ruption In the Junction.
