Left: Jah Cure in full flight at Western Consciousness 21 on Saturday night at Paradise Park in Westmoreland. Right: The veteran Johnny Clarke showing that age is just a number. - Adrian Frater photos

Western Bureau

While it was Jah Cure that daybreak caught wreaking havoc, it was vintage music that ruled as Western Consciousness 21 unfolded on Saturday night before a small but appreciative gathering at the scenic Paradise Park near Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.

From the United Kingdom-based King Sounds, through to the likes of Admiral Tibet, the phenomenal Half Pint, a velvet-smooth Errol Dunkley, the potent Johnny Clarke and England-based Sista Musical aggregation, the story of Jamaica's music was brilliantly told as each performer opened up their respective catalogues and generously offered musical gifts to the patrons.

When the Fireman Capleton closed the show at 6:30 a.m. with a well-received cameo, the satisfied fans did not even call for an encore and departed the venue, ignoring the fact that traditional crowd-pleasers Beenie Man, the Messenger Luciano and the living legend, Bunny Wailer, who were billed for the show, did not appear.

coming of age

For the Jah Cure fans, it was a powerful coming-of-age performance, as the singer displayed great confidence and self-assurance in an impressive set. In fact, he looked and sounded like a man who had crossed the barrier from star to superstar as he made an indelible mark in belting out songs such as Free Again, Sticky Out Deh, Reflection, Good Morning Jah Jah, Longing For and Call On Me.

However, for many, the performance of the night belonged to a dazzling Half Pint. Hitting the stage after a tremendous set by Admiral Tibet, Half Pint had the fans at his mercy, as he kept them in a non-stop dancing frenzy, reeling off hit after hit. At times, it sounded like he had a choir with him, as the crowd went toe-to-toe with him on songs like Greetings, Hold On, Landlord, One Big Family, Level The Vibes and Winsome.

The Fireman Capleton in all his glory.

Admiral Tibet, who got one of two encores for the night, was compelling as he rolled back the clock to the days when he ruled the local charts. Songs such as, Time So Serious, Terrorist, Babylon and Leave People Business Alone, were delivered with such authority that his encore, which yielded Woman Is A Problem and No Longer, all connected.

Like Half Pint, fellow veterans Errol Dunkley and Johnny Clarke both rolled back the clock, generating solid responses for the vast number of hits they unleashed.

In the second and third segments of the show, the younger patrons really had a blast as the group LUST had the ladies going crazy with hits like Run Free, Lady and Broken Hearted Melody.

Lutan Fyah was particularly impressive with his roots-flavoured hits, which was like an addition to a biting three-song salvo unleashed by the veteran Natty Remo, who appeared before him. Lutan Fyah was simply masterful on St Jago Dela Vega and Rasta Still Deh Bout.

In the first segment, which featured the likes of Timmi Burrell, Stamma T, Grandson, Cen C Love, Illey Dread, Empress Roberta and Stream, the class performers were definitely Romaine Virgo, who elicited uncontrolled screams from the ladies; Spectacular, who combined high energy with powerful vocals; and House of Leeds recording artiste Iyahblazze, who got the night's first encore for his dazzling set.

When Capleton closed the show with snippets of songs such as Small World, Tun It Up and Slew Dem, it was clear that a show minus lewd and violent lyrics could be richly entertaining.

Left: Errol Dunkley belting out his lyrics at Western Consciousness 21. Right: Half Pint at Western Consciousness 21.