Tony Rebel - Colin Hamilton

It appears that on January 17, the atmosphere inside of Port Kaiser's Sport Club will be transformed into a roots musical frenzy when reggae icon Tony Rebel hosts his annual Rebel Salute.

The concert has been going on for 16 years and Rebel, who is well-known for his ground-breaking roots-reggae lyrics, told The STAR that the concert, dubbed 'The Caribbean's Largest One-night Roots Reggae Concert', will be entertaining and fans can expect a memorable night.

"It's going to be full of nice vibes. The show is 'edutainment' because it is for the family and it will be a spectacular vibes," said Rebel, born Patrick Barrett.

Good start

He continued: "Its a good start to the year for patrons to celebrate themselves, their colour and to enjoy the rest of the year."

The show will see a cluster of Jamaica's best and fastest-rising roots reggae artistes, including Capleton, Queen Ifrica, I-Wayne, Tarrus Riley, I-Octane and Chuck Fendah, who is expected to baptise the audience with the 'living' fire.

Undoubtedly, the appearances of the powerful Wailing Souls, John Holt, Gregory Isaacs, Leroy Sibbles, Luciano, Sanchez, Morgan Heritage and Horace Andy will add another impressive dimension to the show.

"To know that people have been enjoying the show for so long is great. The traditional, authentic music is what the people love.

"That is the most successful thing for me. The show appreciates every artiste. they don't have to have songs playing over the radio to be on Rebel Salute. As long as the people know what they are all about, then all they want is to enjoy it," said Rebel in a telephone interview with The STAR.

When asked why he chose to have his show so early in the year, Rebel said that this year the show will be making history for a number of reasons.

"Because Tony Rebel and Dr Martin Luther King Jr were born on the same day (January 15), we decided to keep the show on the closest Saturday to that day. It started from that reason and has now mushroomed into what it is now," said Rebel.

Headline

He added: "You know, Rebel Salute is a headline show. The music is clean, no alcohol and patrons will see the return of Wailing Souls, which has not performed in Jamaica for 25 years. Then we have Morgan Heritage, who will be performing the last time as a group.

"It will be unique in the sense that there is a black man in the White House and he will be celebrated on the 20th, so we have our own pre-celebration party here," he said.

Also, performances will come from Lady G, Tinga Stewart, Errol Dunkley, Silverstones, Leroy Gibbons, and Beenie Man.

Asked why, after 15 years, he has billed Beenie Man for Rebel Salute 16, Rebel said: "Beenie Man always wanted to perform on Rebel Salute. He is often in the audience of Rebel Salute and sometimes touchs the stage.

"Beenie man carry a different tendency and him know the rules of the show and him can match to any occasion."