Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Jack Scorpio - File photos
In the latter part of their clash at Mas Camp, New Kingston, on Saturday night, King Jammys teased his friend and rival Jack Scorpio that he should 'min'. "Me see yu a blow hard. An yu sickly. An yu have pressure an sugar".However, blowing hard or not as he danced, leapt and urged on the large audience, in the end, Scorpio's stamina prevailed as Peter Metro took over the proceedings and asked for a show of hands to indicate the winner.
Coming between Josey Wales and Professor Nuts for a single round of 10 specials each, the clash at 'Giants of the 80s' was billed as the final showdown between the two long-time rivals. With three decades of battling each other behind them and the rivalry still very much alive, it is very doubtful that it is really their last clash. And as clashes go, the round of 10 specials each was not much to judge them by.
Still, the victory was clearly Scorpio's.
When the clash was on, Jammys going first in the tune for tune after the coin toss, it was straight specials, the two leading from the front as their respective crews actually played the music.
Soun' killer
"Me a bring on a singer whe me produce from the '70s," Jammys said, and Johnny Osbourne declared "none a dem no soun' like Jammys". "Dem special a some special whe play pon radio all de while," Scorpio commented to laughter. And he said he was going to play a singer who Jammys would not play, although he and Jammys played all over the world. And Pad Anthony crooned "a murder, Black Scorpio a soun' killer" to the delight of the audience.
Jammys noted that Scorpio "haffi play a special pon a riddim dat me produce" and dropped Super Black on the same rhythm to excellent effect. Scorpio conceded "da one deh good", but declared "big man a big man" and played Beres Hammond, asking, "step aside now", and Mas Camp exploded.
Jammys came back with Mykal Roze's Shootout on special, which hit very hard, and Scorpio stuck to his 'big man' guns with more Beres.
Modern route
The two were contrasts in presentation, Jammys jumping in place to support his songs, while Scorpio danced to and fro on the stage and flapped his hands frantically in urging on the crowd. Jammys hit hard with Tarrus Riley's Beware and Junior Gong observing conditions "from Waterhouse to Drewsland", but Scorpio stuck to his vintage guns, saying "every artiste I play is 1980s". Still, since Jammys was taking the more modern route, he played a special of Queen Ifrica's Below The Waist, which took the house down. But Jammys said, "Yu fi lissen de lyrics good. Scorpio can have pickney".
There was laughter all around.
The turning point came when Jammys went back vintage with a special of Culture's Capture Rasta, which fell flat. Scorpio said "Yu have to fin' de right groove to play Culture", and dropped Conqueror to thunderous effect. Jammys came back with a killing version of Drifter, Scorpio responding with a sound killing version of Stealing.
Jammys played early Bounty Killer and Capleton, Scorpio stayed in the '80s and both tunes fell flat. Jammys also fell flat with Richie Spice, singing, "a no me dat" on special, but Scorpio had a much better response, with Garnet Silk, declaring, "Scorpio a rub-a-dub soldier".
Jammys' final special was Mavado's On the Rock, which built a good vibe, but Scorpio wrapped up with a special made for the occasion, saying "dis one mek special for Jammys an it mek for Mas Camp" and Calypso Rose duly called the name of the venue before she declared, "fia fia, inna King Jammys wia". The special was good and the audience loved it.
Initially, there was some uncertainty about the winner, as the vote was taken by a call of 'yes' or 'no'. However, Peter Metro straightened it out and it was Scorpio by a large margin, based on a show of hands from the crowd.
( L - R ) Tarrus Riley, Beres Hammond, Capleton, King Jammys
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