Allison Hinds backs it up on a young Nigerian man during her stint on stage at Bacchanal Jamaica Carnival's "Treasure Island" Fete, held at the Mas Camp, Oxford Road on Friday March 23. - winston sill

Kandre McDonald, Freelance Writer

It was 11:55 p.m., the date, Friday, March 23, 2007 and Allison Hinds was introduced to the stage at the Mas Camp Village, Oxford.

There was lots of noise in the packed venue. Whistles were being blown; flags, bandanas, and rags waved high, people were screaming, and the noise was deafening. Welcome to the Allison Hinds Show.

Her first shout of "MASSIVE!" sent tremors throughout the venue as the patrons replied with a thunderous roar. Then it seemed inevitable for Allison Hinds to address the number of patrons in the venue once again. She exclaimed: "Look pon people!" and the patrons erupted once again.

Soon Allison's chants for the West Indies had the patrons in a frenzy, they were going wild.

Her choice of a headset microphone was a wise one as she needed nothing to interfere with her gyrating as she performed for her thousands of fans that packed into the Mas Camp.

Accompanied by two dancers who gyrated like there was no tomorrow, Allison then whipped the crowd into another frenzy with the lines: "Jump and let me see / Love and unity / One big family - Togetherness." The patrons were not only dancing and getting on bad in various sections of the crowd, as was evident in the previous weeks, everyone was dancing. Even the bartenders danced as they tended to their customers.

Caribbean roll-call

The Caribbean roll-call yielded a tremendous response last Friday, especially when the shout: "Who is here from Jamaica?" ripped through the speakers.

The patrons were made to jump and wine in the name of love, as Allison Hinds used the theme of 'Love and West Indian Unity' for her breathtaking set. The patrons were not given a breather and when Allison started singing Carnival Baby, the carnival fever spread throughout the venue like a wild fire. The wining never stopped and soon Allison had the patrons in a J'ouvert mode, although it was not that time of the year yet on the Carnival calendar.

The 'Soca Queen' then did a new song from her upcoming album and went on to mix in the 'dutty wine', the 'hot wuk' and the 'tick toc', much to the delight of the patrons who willingly complied.

Educating the ladies

She took on the role of educating her West Indian ladies throughout the night. It was 12:54 a.m. and the most compelling lesson was about to be taught.

"Women don't follow the men them who a boast that them is stallion. My husband works with horses so I know this. When the mare is ready the stallion walks around looking strong and jump on, within ten seconds him finish and a stagger away looking tired," Allison said as she enlightened her West Indian women.

This lesson was one that caused pandemonium inside of the venue as the patrons erupt.

Soon Allison and her band were encouraging the patrons to take Caution. She then paused her set, inquiring whether there was a man in the crowd who could drive her tractor. About five men turned up in a wink of an eye. The competition to see who would drive her tractor was easily decided as a young man from Nigeria outclassed his West Indian counterparts. He then went on to wow Allison.

Allison then went on to do several other crowd favourites from her music catalogue including Raggamuffin and Roll it Gal. After thanking her team and the large crowd, she said her goodbye. It was now 1:25 a.m. and still many patrons were not pleased to see her go.

Kurt Riley took over and drove the party to its 2 a.m. shut off time.