by Kandre' McDonald, Freelance Writer

Magician Kemarch Dodd did not make the top five but was so good, the judges feared him.

Tastee again showed why it is not only the longest-running talent contest, but why it is, indeed, the best.

The Kingston semi-finals of the Tastee Talent Trail is now history. Action in semi-final 1 got underway at Tastee Cross Roads last Saturday with 20 contestants vying for five spots. To say the talent on show was good would be an understatement. They were superb, with almost all the contestants 'wowing' the judges and winning the support of the patrons.

It was the judges who had the mammoth task of the evening because choosing the top five from the talented batch was no easy job. The deliberating process that lasted probably some ten minutes at other talent contests, lasted more than a hour, and the patrons understood why.

During the interval, the patrons were treated to an energised entertainment package, thanks to the likes of T.O.K, Alozade, Shane-O, Monster Twins, Cutty Corn, Nesbeth, and past Tastee winners.

When the judges re-emerged from their 'lock away' where they had deliberated, they handed an envelope to host Tricia 'Wild Child' Spence. The crowd grew silent and, as she called out the various categories for the sectional prizes, they erupted, shouting for their pick in the announced category.

Dane Campbell was judged 'best dressed male', Cydia McPherson was awarded for being the 'best dressed female', and Sheldon Williams and Yuri Stewart, who go by the name 'Higha Trod', won for 'most original performance'.

Then it was time for the top five to be revealed. A slight drizzle fell on the crowd, but this did not do much to dampen the vibe and energy of the audience. They wanted to see their pick in the top five.

The deejay duo, Higha Trod, earned their place in the top five with their humourous, but serious and important piece dubbed Garbage Man.

Kibwe Lawrence also booked his spot with an original piece called Deportee, in which he fused hip-hop and dancehall.

Leopold Walker was impressive as he did Stevie Wonder's Sir Duke. He actually had the crowd feeding out of this hands and the judges rocking in their seats.

Kimanda Cunningham, former Digicel Rising Stars entrant, failed to make it to the top five of the Tastee Talent Trail's semi-final 1 audition. She performed Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing'. - Peta-Gaye Clachar photos

Cydia McPherson was awesome and rightfully, earned her spot into the finals. Singing Midnight Cry, she showcased some rather impressive vocals that gripped the crowd and pulled them to her.

Corporal Marvin Fishley from the Island Special Constabulary Force was judged the best talent of the night, and rightfully so. His voice was commanding and at the same time, thrilling as he sang Four Days Late, a Eleanor Ray cover.

Other credible performers who did not make the top five were Squeeze and Mr. Rome from St. Thomas who deejayed an original piece called Girl; Channeika McCollins, who did an extraordinary rendition of Etana's Roots and magician Kemarch Dodd who was so good, the judges feared him. Two-time Digicel Rising Stars entrant Kimanda Cunningham's rendition of Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing, did not do anything to get her into the top five.

Semi-finals two is billed to take place at Tastee, Montego Bay, on November 10.

The winner of this year's competition will walk away with $500,000 cash and a record deal with Penthouse Records valued at $500,000. The runner up will get $250,000 cash.

The deejay duo, Higha Trod, earned their place in the top five of Tastee talent trail's semi-final 1 with their humourous, but serious and important piece dubbed 'Garbage Man'.