Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Scenes from Mello Vibes '70s, '80s, '90s party

Shabba's X-Rated came in the middle of a set of songs by the 'big dutty one'. Terror Fabulous' Position was muffled, as the top end on the recording was low. The same went for Kriss Kross' Jump. Dollar Wine was played too fast and Colin Lucas sounded like a chipmunk at points.

On the other hand, at around 2:00 a.m., there was a delightful run of hip hop, Gin 'N' Juice going down very well, and the ladies certainly enjoyed the standard wining songs that followed shortly after, including the honour to the Wife.

Saturday night's instalment of the Mello Vibes retro music party series, dubbed Dance Fever, pulled in a very large, enthusiastic audience at the Mas Camp, but suffered from inconsistencies that, in the end, made it far less than it could have been. However, with many of the party people youngsters whose requirements for a good oldies time seemed far lower than a more mature audience, there was enthusiasm in many quarters.

Still, when THE STAR left the party at the relatively early hour of 2:30 a.m. yesterday, there were quite a few who were also calling it quits, although a very big audience still remained to enjoy the disco music that was on at the time.

Disco had come before, just past midnight, after the 'yard and hard' sounds of Cobra, Spragga and Lady Saw. The videos that were sometimes shown on large screen, including Hot Stuff (complete with the lyrics) added to the party spirit. There was a switch to soca, played too fast, although the young women were happy to show their skills below the waist.

Party being rushed

Many failed the acid waistline test of slower music, though, as the beat went to the rockers of No No No. The potential enforcement of the Noise Abatement Act was a factor, as there was the sense of the party being rushed as hardcore wining songs which climax the party were tossed in early, hence X-Rated lacked its customary over-the-top effect as it came around 12:30 a.m.

The Beres Hammond double of Putting Up Resistance and Double Trouble went over very, very well.

But then there were inconsistencies such the abrupt switch to Anything For You, which caused to fall relatively flat, then a total change in the dancehall mood with the ode to the Bashment Girl on the Joyride rhythm.

More disco came around 1:30 a.m. hour, Madonna's Material Girl among the selections, leading into one of the better patches at Mello Vibes as hip hop went down well, Gin 'N' Juice and all.

It was soon back to yard songs with Admiral Bailey's God Pickney, the wining was on as the ladies cheered along to tales of the matie and the mouth. Arms went into the night sky for Buju's Bogle and, as the beat went back to disco, THE STAR called it quits and left those determined to catch a dancing fever to continue the night.

Scenes from Mello Vibes '70s, '80s, '90s party, held at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston, last Saturday night. - winston sill photos