By: Kemesha Bolton
Photography By: Milton Raynor
East Fest returned after a year break. Led by producing honcho Denroy "Dada Simeon" Morgan, the event came back with a big bang.
The event was held at the Good Year Ovals In Morant Bay St. Thomas On Saturday December 29th, sponsored by Red Label Wine, it was dubbed Red Label Wine East Fest 2007. Other sponsors included corporate sponsors such as: Digicel, RJR Group, St Thomas Credit Union, Jamaica Tourist Board and Grizzleys – the technical team, Kings of Kings and Down Sound Records.
Regardless of the rain, patrons came out in there numbers for the well anticipated show of the year and they got their money's worth.
The show started at 8: pm sharp with a spiritual refreshing from the Nyabinghi Roots Band, Bobo Shanti band and The Twelve Tribes if Israel Band featuring, Micah Shemaiah, Israel Voice, Boom Dawn and Sangie Davis.
There were some really world class performances for the night from King Shango the fire man Capleton, I- Octane, Richie Spice, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, Iley Dread who did a really good set and was well received by the audience, Anthony B, Ken Boothe, Sanchez who was asked to return by the audience but didn't and Morgan's Heritage. These performers were the show toppers for the night doing hits after hits wetting the appetite of their and audience and fulfilling every expectation
Elephant Man was also up to his usual antics dressed like a pirate he jumped on sound boxes secured by four men, there were performers who got favorable responses from the audience like group T.O.K, Lymie Murray, Lutan Fyah, Jah Mason, Pressure, Demarco, Warrior King, songstress Irie Love, I- Maroon and Chuck Fenda who brought up Cherine Anderson to do their hit single "Coming over tonight."
It was an unfortunate night for Munga Honourable as he was booed off stage. The patrons got a little tired of his 'gun talk', "a rasta show" a patron lamented "mi nuh waah hear bout nuh gun ting."
Dancehall selector Sky Juice, Mutabarukka and Dj Sunshine added to the already good vibes that permeated the air . East Fest 2007 lived up to all the expectations, there was good food and good music a wonderful combination and to sum it all up a great production. East Fest is in the big leagues rivaling any one night reggae show in Jamaica.
