Members of UB40 at bmobile Reggae Sunsplash 2006 as the band made its Jamaican debut. - Ian Allen

Owner of the 'Reggae Sunsplash' trademark, Kenny Benjamin says the event will not be staged this year.

"There were many reasons for not keeping 'Sunsplash' this year, the elections has been one of them," Benjamin said. The festival will return in 2008.

With 'Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest' right round the corner, the fate of 'Sunsplash' was on everyone's mind.

Last year saw the return of 'Reggae Sunsplash' after a nine-year hiatus. The event had returned to a new venue in Ocho Rios, St. Ann and new sponsors revamping the image of the festival.

Since the inception of the show in 1978 at Jarrett Park, Montego Bay, 'Sunsplash' has also been at the Bob Marley Beach in Montego Bay, the Dover Raceway in St. Ann and Jam World in Portmore. Last year saw performances from the likes of Bounty Killer, Machel Montano, Morgan Heritage, Steel Pulse, UB40 and Maxi Priest, among others.

The return of 'Sunsplash' last year was met by small crowds, late nights and a debut performance in Jamaica from UB40. The general feeling was that 'Sunsplash' announced the return of the original reggae festival.

Rodney Davis of Cable and Wireless, sponsors of last year's event, said in a previous interview: "There is only one 'Reggae Sunsplash'. Its authenticity, its commitment to building reggae music not only in Jamaica but internationally. The key thing is it is all about reggae."

With that in mind, Kenny Benjamin assured that last year's 'Sunsplash' was a good show and next year will be even better.