Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Singer Abijah talks to fans and well wishers during the launch of his second album, 'Moving 2 the Top', held at the Comfitanya Lounge, Crieffe Road, St. Andrew, on Friday. - photos by Colin Hamilton/freelance photographer

Abijah's broad smile, natty attire of striped suit with matching hat and red vest, as well as brief but slick dance moves, spoke volumes about his happiness on Friday evening.

And it was well that they did, as his voice could not at the launch of his second album, 'Moving 2 the Top', held at the Comfitanya Lounge, Crieffe Road, St. Andrew.

Among the songs on the 19-track Azion Music release are the title track, Where Has the Love Gone, Be Happy, Heaven Knows, Nah Give Up, Swept Away, Rasta Love and I Surrender. Tevin Campbell is a guest on Overcome, while Beenie Man is included in the remix of Revelation.

Tony Rebel, who introduced Abijah, reset the expectations of those gathered for the launch as he said "Abijah is having a little problem with his voice ... If he does not sing all his songs tonight, overstand with him". And after entering the stage with nifty footwork and a smile, Abijah croaked, "I am really hoarse. I can't sing tonight."

"We have been working really hard on tour. Lost my voice. I'll get it back tomorrow," he said. "I really want to sing. I'm sorry," he said.

Still, the people insisted, with calls of "do suppen", "croak suppen" and "even a little note". "Even if me croak?" Abijah asked and there was a chorus of "yes". The Dub Station band struck up Revelation, but it was for dance, not singing, as a young man and woman put on a coordinated display that was extremely sexy but not risqué.

And after urging the Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., Dub Station into a frenzy, Abijah calmed them down and was off to end the launch.

There had been music before, Keisha Patterson opening with Fever in reggae style, wearing a red dress guaranteed to inch the mercury up. She followed with her original What About Me.

Speech came with the endorsement of Internet telephone service provider Call the Planet's John Itel. He said the company has been in Jamaica for almost three years and "we are very excited about Abijah. As you know, he is our spokesperson".

"We took our time looking around to find the right person for the image ... He loves his country, he loves his people, he has the great roots message in his songs," Itel said.

Deejay Sunbeam rode the mix of Dub Station to rasp "we a sey Selassie, we a sey Marcus/Jus' like a volcano we a erupt". And Tom O'Brien of Dub Station added to his rhythm guitarist role as he sang Open Up Your Eyes very effectively. "We play original roots music. We hope we do it justice because this is the place where it was born," O'Brien said. He followed with a song of love and betrayal, singing "I press your lips to mine to keep your mouth from lying".

There were huge cheers for Ernie Smith, who rocked the house with Duppy or Gunman, bringing the song up to speed as he substituted Asafa Powell's name for Donald Quarrie's. And he amended Rainy Night in Georgia to Deadly Night in Kingston, singing the tale of a needy man walking the streets where "neon lights are flashing, advertising every bling to set me right".

Left: Keisha Patterson performs during the launch of singer Abijah's sophomore album. Right: Singer Ernie Smith performs during the event.