When I first got to Barbados on saturday, it seemed as if the entire nation was buzzing about Reggae on the Hill. On sunday morning our cabbie took us up the hill into Barbados’s mountains towards the Farley Hill National Park a picturesque venue known for its annual Barbados Jazz Festival. We were not alone; bus-loads of people and thousands of cars also navigated their way upwards. How do thousands of people head up a hill with winding single lane roads? Very slowly.

After being stuck in traffic for half-an-hour, our cabbie took a shortcut driving over a different hill to the East coast, then ascending a less traveled route to Farley Hill. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we ended up taking the proverbial scenic route passing Mount Hillaby which we were told is the highest point in Barbados. Luckily, the entire show was broadcasted live on 93.5 FM and so we listened to the mellow acoustic sounds of local artist David Kirton during our impromptu tour.

As we got closer to the venue we decided it would be faster to walk the remainding distance to the concert as the traffic was dense. The rain came pouring down on our way up and we sought shelter under a tent at the entrance where I experienced my first Bajan lime; everyone was in great spirits quietly smirking while judging the various wet-t-shirt contests unintentionally created by the downfall. After realizing that we were already soaked we decided to plough it through the rain (and mud….lots of mud) onwards to the show.

We got there on time to see Mo’Lava, a local band with an international sound playing mostly covers of new conscious reggae such as Sizzla, the 5 th element and Junior Kelly. Junior Kelly, who was not only the bill, but slated to follow Mo’Lava was livid about the band performing his songs and his road manager gave the Mo’Lava band and the Bajans close enough to the stage a crash course in authentic Jamaican cussing. If Mo’Lava were more seasoned they would know the unwritten rule of not covering artists on the same show on which you are performing. Even the DJ’s know this, and hopefully Mo’Lava knows now. Notwithstanding the group did a hot set with the guitarist and lead vocalist trading leads on songs.

Junior Kelly warmed up the crowd as they braved the heavy rain. Moments after he ran out unto the covered stage he decided to join the crowd walking into the rain telling them “if you a-go stan-up inna the rain then mi-a-go dweet to, cause all-a-we-a-one.” While the crowd appreciated his gesture his wireless mike didn’t and after 3 songs he had to return to the stage to get a new mike. Undeterred Kelly returned to the crowd with his road manager carrying an umbrella as he sang his many hits. A much needed “Smile” was given a calypso touch and for a moment it seemed everyone had forgotten how much rain was falling.

After Kelly was the Splash Band headed by local sax favorite Arturo Tappin. Seeing them for the first time I was amused by the resemblance of their lead vocalist Daddy Irie to American Idol’s Rueben. Splash Band put on a solid performance taking the audience through different eras with both covers and reggae/soca originals. They were joined on stage by Peter Ram, a local Bajan dancehall artist and they were all well received as the home team by the mostly local crowd.

In between band changes Beres’s son span tunes for the crowd who were in turn delighted by seeing how much he resembled his father. Maxi Priest was in fine form as he too ventured out in the rain with an umbrella delivering classic after classic including “Wild World”, “Close to You” and “Housecall” on which he was joined on stage by a DJ who looked and sounded like Red Fox. The younger generation was especially excited to hear Maxi’s “I Believe (in Love)” on the Drop Leaf riddim.

Barrington “Shudli-Wadly-Didli” Levy backed by the Los-Angeles based Detour Posse gave an energetic performance. Hit after hit came from Mr. Broader than Broadway; by this time I managed to smuggle myself into the shelter of the VIP tent to enjoy some local food. This was my 3^rd time seeing Barrington in 3 months and I can tell you it is a sheer pleasure each and every time (see Raggamuffins Fest, Los Angeles & Reggae All Stars, Nassau Bahamas.) Levy’s voice is a gift from God himself and the fans agreed singing lyric for lyric on almost every song from classics such as “Silver Words” to “Every Posse must Work.”

Beres Hamnmond closed the show as no other artist could; for almost an hour he brought out the last of the sun’s rays from behind rain clouds as the Bajan night fell upon a weary yet enthusiastic crowd. Starting his set with “Putting up a Resistance,” Beres commanded the crowd to come closer to the stage. During “Pull it Up” a group of young ladies held onto Beres's pants and almost pulled him of the stage much to his amusement. The concert went on into the Bajan night and history as the largest concert ever in Barbados and over 20,000 elated fans descended from Farley Hill unto their various towns leaving a culture concert called Reggae on the Hill that became a wet fete with Reggae music's brightest stars.

Related Links:

• Barrington Levy - Hall of Fame
• Beres Hammond - Hall of Fame
• Maxi Priest - Hall of Fame
• Maxi Priest - official site
• Junior Kelly - official site
• David Kirton - official site