Buju Mania - Gargamel Fever - Long Walk To Freedom Concert Review
Breaking again for the main event Jabba and Chutney took over the stadium one more time playing dancehall anthems from Bounty Killer, Busy Signal, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, and Mr. Vegas among others eliciting tens of thousands to sing the lyrics word for word! It was like no other vibe I have felt before with so many knowing exactly what was going on. After they finished that energy, Roots Queen from Irie FM Elise Kelly made an appearance to announce the long awaited and highly anticipated arrival of Buju Banton.
The 10-piece "’Til Shiloh Band then blasted into “It’s Not An Easy Road” from 1992’s landmark album “‘Til Shiloh”. Everyone was singing with joy in unison, it was incredible, then going in “Close One Yesterday” where he declares “Jah put an angel over me, be strong, hold a firm mediation, keep your above the water, things must get better”. By this time we all knew Buju Banton was back and sharper than ever with a fiery delivery we all love so much. It was glorious!!! Next, going into a jazzy number before two one drop anthems from 1997’s “Inna Heights” - “Destiny” and “Hills and Valleys”. “Destiny” was so fitting seeing where he is at now at the focal point of the entire reggae world. It was during this song that sound “chip out” and the entire stadium sang the words with absolute perfection. It was so hardcore! Singing “Only Rasta Can Free The People” from “Hills and Valleys” Buju reinspired energy to our universal movement. Rockin’ on, Buju already drenched in sweat, he high steps into “Mighty Dread” from “Unchained Spirit” released in 2000. Touching his first dancehall jam of night “ Me and Unoo - Bungo Cart” on the Wipe Out Riddim.
Shellin’ the place with high energy dancehall hits Buju Banton scores again with “Gold Spoon” from 1992’s Stamina Daddy, “Water Boy”, “Only Man” on the Bruk Out Riddim. Up again, into “Tra La La” on Lenky’s Diwali Riddim into “Up Close and Personal” produced by Danny Browne, Steven “Lenky” Marsden and Tony Kelly for Donovan Germain’s Penthouse VA Album - “Dancehall 1998”. Gargamel was in top form coming with full force. Keeping up the pressure, the band drops “Champion” rocking the crowd to the core - “Walk like a Champion, Talk Like A Champion”. Hotter still, he blazes “Too Bad” from the self-titled 2006 release right into “Batty Rider” having the whole place “Bogling”.
He has handled the stage all by himself up to this point and kept ratcheting up the vibes with “Have To Get You Tonight” calling upcoming UK Dancehall Diva Stefflon Don who came out in green shorts bodysuit sporting platinum blond hair. They mashed up the place! Stefflon Don was later noted to say something like “that was her greatest moment in her musical career.”
Video Credit: T. McCarley
When speaking to Winford Williams from OnStage TV Jamaica he said “Well we know one thing for sure, Buju Banton is still Buju Banton”. We could not have agreed more. Later, I spoke to Don Mafia - Reggae Dancehall artist formerly known as Gringo and songwriter for prominent stars, after the show he had this to say “This was an epic event I hope the other artists will learn that authentic music never dies and real artists only get better with age. Buju is a worldwide icon and deserves the respect of every other artist”. When reasoning with Copeland Forbes commented “It was a great concert and Buju never let down once during the two hour set”. Sunday afternoon I ran into Chris Goldfinger from BBC Radio fame and he said “The production was top notch and loved the smooth transitions between the acts”. Robbo Ranx, World Class Award winning Reggae and Dancehall DJ commented it was an "Epic Moment". Nuff Respect going out Destine Media the promoters for the show to all the parties involved.
Buju Banton and Wayne Wonder Sunsplash 1992
Side Notes:
Here is the scheduled setlist:
Wayne Marshal 8:05-8:10
Jahziel (Buju's Son) 8:10-8:15
Delly Ranks 8:15-8:25
Ghost 8:25-8:40
LUST 8:40-8:52 (Lukie D, Thriller U, Singing Melody and Tony Curtis)
Cocoa Tea 8:52-9:07 (Special guest Koffee)
Etana 9:07-9:22
Christopher Martin 9:22-9:28
Romain Virgo 9:28 -9:43
Agent Sasco 9:43-9:58
set change
Chronixx 10:18-10:38
set change
Buju Banton 10:38 - 12:58
Steven “Lenky” Marsden and Mitchum “Kahn” Chin are the only original ‘Til Shiloh Band members returning with the passing of our beloved drummer Basil “Prince” Shirley and visa issues for Frank “Bassie” Burt now residing in South East Florida.
To give some depth to the experience, this month March 2019 marks my 30th anniversary of travelling to Jamaica and 30th visit. Seeing Dennis Brown and Gregory Issac at Sunsplash in 1990 was awe inspiring drawing me back to the Island year after year to catch the spirit and energy of Jamaican Reggae in Jamaica and USA. Having attended Sunsplashes, Sumfests, Western Consciousness, multiple A St. Mary Mi Come From shows, Jam Jam, White River Reggae Bash, tons of shows in Negril and many Rebel Salutes are events this writer has experienced in Jamaica. Plus all the big US Festivals Sierra Nevada World Music Festivals, Reggae on the Rivers, Best of the Bests, Midwest Reggae Fests, Southern California Bob Marley Days in San Diego, Long Beach, and SF and Seattle, Cali Roots Fest in Monterey, Ca and One Love Cali Fest in Long Beach.