Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Newly established band, Rootz Underground, entertaining patrons at the Calabash International Literary Festival, held at Jake's Hotel and Cottages in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, last Saturday. - noel thompson

As Rootz Underground was about to wrap up its near one-hour set at the Calabash International Literary Festival on Saturday night, lead singer Steven Newland paid homage to the band to come.

"Before we came on stage, we smoked a chalice, because we knew we were opening for Chalice," he said, as the band moved into their final Storm song.

And when Chalice informed the full house at Jake's in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, that "I'm trying, to keep Jah music from dying", Wayne Armond paid respects to the band before them. "We are on a mission to bring betterment to reggae, to bring it forward to the days of Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh and Third World. I have see the manifestations. I have seen Rootz Underground," he said, going on to name Tarrus Riley, Morgan Heritage and Empress Etana as well.

Sound glitches

There were sound glitches during part of Rootz Underground's set, the cable to one set of speakers being replaced to correct the problem as they played. They started out with Time is an Illusion and moved easily into Hammer. Newland did some of his high-energy, locks-flashing, leaping moves, although he seemed a bit restrained.

Victims of the System got a few more younger members of the audience, which by and large remained seated and applauded after the songs. They also appreciated Herb Field ("I can see where the sensimilla section is already," Newland said). But it was their take on Junior Byles' Fade Away, sandwiched in between, which got the older throats whooping.

The horn section, which was introduced mid-way Rootz' set, was a very good addition and they played a vital role in Love Mama Africa, which the band debuted at Calabash.

Smashing Chalice

Chalice, all in white, was an overwhelming musical and performing smash with the audience. They took the opportunity to play a couple songs that have sometimes been left out of their set, starting out on a relatively unfamiliar note, acknowledging 'Yaweh' before easing into Cyaan Dub. Armond requested that the audience stand, Calabash founder Colin Channer dancing across the grass in front of the stage as an animated cheerleader to help many become chair leavers. Good To Be There got a 'pull up', Chalice's lead singer Dean Stevens putting in the part that Tarrus Riley sings on the remake. On Dangerous Disturbances, the showmanship was in good effect, the band's members freezing in place as the music stopped and then dancing as it started again, to cheers from the audience.

On the final, extended freeze, they moved into an emotional Trapped, they delivered "a song to make the whole world sing" and slowed down Go Slow at its close, Christopher McDonald playing a keyboard solo and scatting during the song.

Emotional music

The slow Still Love You was a mixture of emotional music and showmanship, Stevens comforting Armond and leading him back to the microphone as he sobbed and turned away while singing the last lines, an enthralled audience moving from an R&B stupor to chuckles.

They honoured Marley with Rebel Music and then it was into Revival Time and no one was feeling pain, the band teasing the audience by pausing before the first line of the song. And when they restarted, the people still demanded a 'pull up'. Pocomania Day kept the 'rock so, dip so' mood strong, then Armond became a mock conductor for the 'dancehall reggaestra' as Stevens imitated Capleton and Tiger.

And when Armond adjusted Steven's collar as he became himself, the Chalice lead singer let his vocals soar on the encouragement to the ladies to 'wiiiiiinneeee'.

There was a 'brawta', Stevens giving classical interpretations of Tuck Een Yu Belly and Chakademus instruction to "shock out gal pickney and winey winey".

And when the band left, there were rhythmic chants of 'Chalice', but Channer reminded all that they were on a 20-minute grace period with the Noise Abatement Act.

World-renowned reggae band, Chalice, in concert at the Calabash International Literary Festival, held at Jake's Hotel and Cottages in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, Saturday night. - noel thompson photos