Reggae artiste Hi Moore delivered a blistering set during the Red, Green and Gold Affair at Eight Miles in Bull Bay on New Year's Eve, showing that the re-emergence of reggae as a global force is indeed a reality.

He went onstage a few minutes after 1 a.m and did his single, Africa, a marvellous ode to the continent that simply energised the crowd. Then he did Go For Ma Goal and got a huge forward, several flags flapping in the cool night air, and the excitement level spiked. Then the venue exploded when reggae's 'general', Sizzla Kalonji, jumped onstage, and the stage show switched into a higher gear.

Hi Moore did Go For Ma Goal several times, earning four forwards, then Sizzla called back for the same rhythm and did Lift My Hands To The Hills, and the venue exploded again. Together, they created a spiritual vibe that Rastafarians will be talking about for several months to come.

Both artistes also did songs on a new rhythm called Kushites. Hi Moore performed Hustle And Bustle at least three times for the enthusiastic audience while Sizzla got forwards for Better.

After a busy Christmas season that saw him performing at various community stage shows in Arnett Gardens, downtown Kingston andSpanish Town, Hi Moore also gave a good account of himself at another stage show called 'More Unity' at the Fort Clarence Beach where he also got a forward for Go For Ma Goal.

paying dividends

Hi Moore is now turning his attention towards the promotion of his video for that song, which is blowing up all over FM radio.

"Right now, we are releasing the video this weekend, as we push Hi Moore to the next level. Since the Eight Miles show, several promoters have been linking us to get him to perform," Makalon, Hi Moore's manager, said in a release.

Born Claude Ansine, Hi-Moore initially got his exposure to performing while attending the Merlene Ottey High School in Hanover.

After graduating, he decided to devote his interest to music full time, and that decision is already paying dividends. Hi-Moore hails from Papine/Tavern, St Andrew, where he lived with his father,a taxidriver, and his mother, a factory worker. He grew up with two brothers and two sisters and started attending Papine High for one year before he was sent to Hanover to live with hisfather's parents in 1988.

Music was always his first love, and that is where he is making his mark. He has been gaining recognition for singles such asWilderness, Fly Away and Broken Heart. He has performed on a number of stage shows and entertainment events, including Sumfest 2003.He recently shot a video for Go Sonny, an inspirational song on a hip-hop R & B beat fromproducers in Switzerland. "Hi Moore ah go for his goal inna 2013," Makalon said.