Entertainment

Party, prayer at Mas Camp

BY MEL COOKE, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

THERE WAS LOTS of party and a touch of prayer at Mas Camp as the non teeny boppers welcomed 2004 in elegant but relaxed style.

Heineken Startime's Gala New Year's Bash brought out a full, seated house to a venue transformed by balloons, lights and, naturally music, from a piece of tarmac to an open air semi-formal party spot. On the older side of 11:30, a significant portion of the crowd - and a few latecomers were still hauling hurriedly into the parking lot - was dancing up a storm in the dance area just before the stage. They rocked happily in the sweet spot of the speakers to Rocking Robin and My Boy Lollipop then switched with the beat to Sammy Dead and 54-46.

Toots demanded 'give it to me tree time' with 15 minutes to go and was bust counting out the seven books of Moses with 10 minutes to the magic hour, even as some early poppers were letting rockets fly over New Kingston. With 300 seconds to go, itchy fingers were letting squibs pop in the air over Cross Roads but the only explosions inside Mas Camp were the voices going up for the switch to soca.

With 150 seconds to go, Love And Unity was on the turntable and inside the house as well and it proved to be the tune to carry the crowd jigging into 2004.

Countdown

The countdown was started from 30 seconds, the music cut out totally from 10 and the audience joined in the countdown, bursting into lusty cheers as destination 2004 was reached. The balloons came down over the crowded dance area and many a rubber was burst, many lips were pursed and there was smacking and popping all around as the selector played Auld Lang Syne.

"A whole heap a people neva mek it," the countdown MC said, exhorting the people to give thanks for the new year. Asking all present to look in the sky, he invoked that "the firmament showeth his handiwork" and all present seemed to agree.

He then asked Bunny Brown, 'our unofficial pastor', to bring a blessing. There was relative silence around Mas Camp as Brown asked "for knowledge, mercy, wisdom and understanding", replacing the traditional amen with a heartfelt 'yeah' which was picked up and echoed by the audience.

Then, with Bop 'Alonzo Hawk' Campbell at the turntables, it was time to party. And party they did, as Bop started out with a proposal to "drink to the hard-working people", then moved into I'm Asking For Love.

The swinging lovers' vibe continued with Guilty and Homely Girl and Campbell had to pull up Love Me Just a Little Bit Longer. Looks Like We Made It was well received, then half an hour into the new year the beat was turned around with the call of 'hey Frankie!'

I Will Survive and I'm Alive preceded a turnaround to 'yard' music with We're Having A Party, Love Overdue, All I Have Is Love and Black Cinderella. A Beres Hammond treble turned up the heat and then the Hawk drew a gear.

"We a go play a special tune fi we Jamaicans. No matta whe we go tru, a coulda Holocast--.", Hawk said, as he drew Sizzla's Solid As A Rock. The people railed and he had to pull before the bass even came in.

The reaction was the same for Just One Of Those Days and Alonzo had the rumps shaking to Dude before making way for Boris Gardiner and Friends.