Rebel Salute 15, which unfolded on Saturday night into Sunday morning at Port Kaiser Club, in St. Elizabeth, was a bountiful affair as the top-flight line-up of stars gave the appreciative patrons a sparkling treat as reggae music ruled supreme.

In fact, when the messenger Luciano took the stage at 8:47 a.m. to close the show, scores of patrons, who had earlier soaked up the classy offering by the likes of the hot stepper Ini Kamoze, a blazing Queen Ifrika, a mature-sounding Busy Signal and a most polished Jah Cure, were already on their way out of the venue, clearly satisfied.

It terms of crowd appreciation, a rather crisp-sounding Jah Cure probably had the greatest impact based on the screams and blasting firecrackers that regularly punctuated his performance. However, in terms of command authority and delivery, the mean-looking Ini Kamoze probably, was the standout act.

Hitting centre stage, with daylight beckoning, Ini Kamoze opened to rousing reception, belting out the song, Hotter This Year. With the crowd clearly impressed, he seized the moment and all but emptied his catalogue, reeling off World a Reggae Music, Reggae General, Trouble Me, Stress, Call the Taxi and My Girl, which were all delivered with complete mastery.

If the booming firecrackers, blazing aerosol cans and deafening screams that greeted Jah Cure is an indication of the true love of his fans, the artiste, who was recently freed from prison after being incarcerated for eight years, must be overjoyed that after six months back in the free world, the 'longing for' among the fans has not diminished.

It was a near flawless Jah Cure as after starting out with, Longing For, he simply shifted into overdrive, almost bringing the house down, as he delivered tracks such as, Divide and Rule, True Reflection, Love is, Babylon be Still and StickyOut to stunning effect against the backdrops of continuous screams and firecracker blasts.

Potent lyrics

To say Queen Ifrika has arrived is an understatement. Based on her performance, she seemed poised for a major assault on the international reggae market. It was simply potent lyrics at its best as the female songbird mixed thought-provoking social commentary with commanding vocals as she stamped her class on songs such as, Locks Fi Grow, Born Free, Baby and Daddy, which earned her an encore.

While his presentation was hardcore, Busy Signal was exemplary and must have made quite a few new fans. Working like a man aiming to prove a point, he flowed skilfully through his repertoire, impressing all and sundry as he made his mark on songs like Rising to the Top, Unknown Number and his latest hit, Nah Go A Jail Again.

Among the other acts, who played impressive sets, were veteran singer Errol Dunkley, the dazzling Leroy Gibbons, Terry Linen, Louis Culture and Etana. Also doing well were the uncompromising I-Wayne, Ernie Smith, Pluto Shervington, Duane Stevenson, Chalice, Canadian act Steel, Junior Reid and the evergreen Sugar Minott, who could all have walked away as star performers on another night.

The Jamaican-born Steel, a household name in his adopted homeland Canada, clearly did not belong in the first segment which featured the less established acts. His performance, which included songs such as Better must come, New World Order and Slave Driver, was delivered in compelling fashion as most of what was heard in the other segments.

Choc'late, a 14-year-old mature-sounding Trinidadian, delivered a masterful set and was another act that clearly did not belong in the first segment. Her classy rendition of *lo** Thicker Than Water and Friend leaves no doubt that she is star material waiting to explode.

Sugar Minott with an energetic cameo, Richie Spice who was quite composed and the fireman Capleton, who hit centre stage with his usual excitement, were among the acts who were forced to play shortened sets to accommodate other artistes waiting to perform as daylight descended on Port Kaiser.