REVIEW 2003



"We need to make a positive difference if we are to survive and live in harmony on this planet. Our collective vibration needs to be maintained by each individual's constant input of love, of giving, of sharing. One way to do this is through celebration, the highest form of positive energy. Here at Reggae On The River® we have, for the past 19 years, provided a forum to manifest that energy. The choices are endless as to how each of us can make a difference, because of our own unique individuality, but the important thing is do something…As individuals we are responsible for keeping our personal environment as well as the global environment healthy." ( Reggae On The River®)

Crucial environmental issues dominated the spirit of the 20th Annual Reggae On The River®. Annually the festival is held in Humboldt County's French's Camp in Piercy, California. This year's festival held on August 1-3, 2003 was dedicated to "conscious living." Not a mere catch phrase to the organizers. They literally mirrored these words in every aspect of the festival. Festival organizers took active steps including fueling a portion of their generators with bio-diesel, a biodegradable fuel made from vegetable oil. Food vendors who served a variety of health conscious items switched to starch-based biodegradable plastics and compostable eco friendly paper products. The festival grounds were littered not with trash and debris but with recyclable containers in order to minimize the impact on the environment. A monumental achievement realized due to the dedication and indomitable spirit of the staff and volunteers of Mateel Community Center, Inc. and People Productions who for two decades have manifested the desire, need and heart of the people who live and love our planet earth.

Environment duly consider and maintained, the business of music preceded with all the talent and excitement necessary to maintain the Reggae On The River® world title of "Best Reggae Festival In The World." A showcase of diverse musical styles flourished throughout the entire weekend with opening performances on Friday, August 1st by Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits, Michael Franti & Spearhead and Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals. Also adding their talents to the opening night show were John Trudell, Potluck and Tré Harden while Lost At Last and Medicine Drum kept the music flowing late into the night. Opening Ceremony for the festival was delivered by one of the surviving full-blooded Karuk tribal elders Charlie Red Hawk Thorn followed by All Nation Singers, Medicine Warrior Dancers and Fred Coyote Downey.

The weekend continued with some of the most respected and loved Reggae artists. Brilliant performances on Friday, August 1st came from Joseph Hill of Culture. On Saturday and Sunday the music continued with Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Judy Mowatt, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Third World and Israel Vibration and the Roots Radics band with the great Flabba Holts on Bass, Horace James on keyboards, Ronnie Butler on lead guitar, Errol Moore on rhythm guitar and Macasea Bey on drums. Also performing was England's Pato Banton & The Revolutionary Band and David Lindley & El Rayo X and hailed as "one of Africa's greatest dance band" Bembeya Jazz brought a revival of African flavored dance music for the first time on the Reggae On The River® stage. The next generation of Reggae and Dancehall talent shined in performances by Ghetto Youth Crew with brothers Stephen Marley, Julian Marley and 2001 Grammy Award winner Damian ‘Jr. Gong' Marley, Anthony B, Baby Cham and Wayne Wonder while Trinidad's Machel Montano & Extatik 5.0 launched the spirit of carnival. Other performers included South County Dogs, Slightly Stoopid, Mystic Family Circus, Onefiya and The Pomo Nation Tribal Dancers. Spinning the latest reggae music between performances throughout the weekend were Jah Love Universal Sound, Massive Sound International, Midnight Dread Sound System and Island Style Soundz. Master of Ceremonies for the 3-day festival was Rocky Allan Bailey, Spliff Skankin of Berkeley's KPFA free radio station and the actor Leon. .Highlights of Performances at the 20th Annual Reggae On The River®



Friday, August 1st

Oliver Mtukudzi's music is like a Phoenix rising from its own ashes to a new life. His intricate guitar and strong conscious lyrics meld with a voice that is stern but sweet and implores you to wake up, get involved and find a solution. The combination embraces your earthly spirit and soars to infinity with your soul gently in its grasp.

A master performer, Oliver Mtukudzi was born on September 7, 1952 to a close-knit Christian family the eldest of 6 siblings. His musical career has spanned twenty years and more than 40 albums. He is a producer, arranger, singer, songwriter and guitarist better known as "Tuku," a name he acquired from his fans and describes his unique musical style. He is the best-selling artist in his homeland of Zimbabwe, Africa and continues to perform live throughout his country. He began his music career in the mid-70's as a member of the Wagon Wheels, which also featured the politically militant Thomas Mapfumo. Mtukudzi's distinctive sound is influenced by chimurenga pioneered by Mapfumo and inspired by the spellbinding rhythms of the mbira (thump piano) which also incorporates South African mbaganga, the high energy of the Zimbabwean pop style called JIT and Korekore, the traditional Kateke drumming of his people. Oliver later broke from Wagon Wheels taking some members along to form his Black Spirits who continue to be his backing band and performed with him at Reggae On The River®. With the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980, Oliver Mtukudzi and Black Spirits produced the album Africa, one of the most important albums of the era. The album includes songs that became the herald for the newly independent country, "Zimbabwe" and "Mazongonyedze" and led the way for a new generation of voices coming from the heart of Zimbabwean culture.

A powerful lyricist and guitarist, Mtukudzi songs, sung mostly in Shona the language of the Korekore people, focus on social and economic issues of Zimbabwe while always interjecting a spirit of optimism for the future of his country. One of Mtukudzi's biggest fans in the U.S. is Bonnie Raitt who used his music as the inspiration for the song, "One Belief Away" on her album, Fundamental and recorded his song, "Hear Me Lord" on her recent album, Silver Lining.

With the return to power of President Robert Mugambe in a controversial election in 2000, Zimbabwe remains in the grip of a devastating human crisis. Five million Zimbabweans, over half of the total population, are in desperate need of food and a high death rate continues to claim more than 30,000 lives a week and is largely related to the AIDS epidemic and statistic reports an alarming 30 percent of Zimbabwe's 11 million people have tested positive for HIV. The disease is spreading like an uncontrollable wildfire over all of Africa but has hit Zimbabwe the hardest. It is estimated that one million Zimbabwean children will be orphaned by the end of the year 2010. These devastating conditions play a very important part in the music of Oliver Mtukudzi and inspire many songs from him like "Todii" (what should we do), "Mabasa (Tears Run Dry/We Mourn Quietly) from his wonderful 1998 album, Tuku Music and "Tapera" from his album, Vhunze Moto. The song "Tapera" is a jazzy and contemplative piece that expresses the urgent need for men to take responsibility for the spread of the AIDS virus. During a conversation with Mtukudzi at the 20th Annual Reggae On The River® he talked about his song "Tapera" saying, "The song Tapera is saying we are all perishing and is talking about the AIDS issue that is killing us and I want men out there to learn to be responsible because there is no other way since there is no cure yet we have to be careful." These issues weigh heavily on the soft-spoken "Tuku" and continue to inspire and provoke him to incorporate these matters of struggle and survival to the forefront of his music. He aptly embellished his songs with political ambiguity, metaphors and sacred parables to create music that is more than just beautiful scenery for people's lives but a voice of and for the people of Zimbabwe and a plea for finding resolutions for these devastating conditions. Now with Putamayo Records, the music of Oliver Mutukudzi is easily accessibly in the U.S. His new release, Oliver Mtukudzi Collection includes some of his most cherished songs selected from recordings from the "Tuku" years from 1998-2002 when he linked with producer Steve Dyer. The collection also features several songs available for the first time outside of South Africa and includes the beautiful spiritual "Hear Me Lord" which he brilliantly performed with his group Black Spirits at this year's Reggae On The River®. Oliver says, "The song ‘Hear Me Lord' is a prayer for depressed people everywhere, anyone with a problem, it has an up tempo beat and a happy beat and is talking about being low in life in whatever, it is a prayer song to God and I think most people use it when they feel low and they get relief because it is a healing song." Oliver also performed songs from his earlier album, Tuku Music with the breathtaking songs "Dzoka Uyamwe" which intertwines two voices, the voices of a man frustrated by society and being judged by his appearance instead of his inner self so he resolves to go back to his roots and, the voice of his mother as she entreats him to come back to her. He also performed his song "Tapindwa Nei" (what has become of the world) which focuses on the sexual abuse of children by men and gently asks the listener to try and imagine the pain if their own child were abused. This was Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits first time performing at Reggae On The River® and by the applause and cheers from the crowd it will surely not be the last.

When Joseph Hill of Culture performs you can truly feel that reggae breeze and feel that reggae touch. Joseph Hill, front man for Culture, still maintains a dynamic Rasta vibration that has endeared him to people around the world. His spiritual delivery of a message steeped in truth, rights and justice always dominate his unique sound. Dressed in an elegant gold and black suit Joseph Hill opened the show singing a special festival song "Reggae On The River® Come Let Us Love" to a crowd that was fairly bursting with love and admiration for this general of roots reggae music. Culture captured our souls by performing a wide selection of songs both new and old including "Love Shines Brighter Than The Morning", "Behold", "Waan Go See What Inna Africa", "Mount Zion", the jazzy "Stop The Fussing and Fighting", "War and Crime" and an excellent long version of "Chant Down Babylon." Culture also performed the title track from their brand new CD release, World Peace on Heartbeat Records. The most excitement generated from Culture's performance at Reggae On The River® came when Joseph Hill performed a wicked version of "Two Sevens Clash" from Culture's powerful 1978 debut album of the same name produced by Joe Gibbs. Culture continued this blast from the past by singing "Get Ready to Ride The Lion to Zion" and "See Them A Come." Thundering applause and cheers from the crowd brought Culture back on stage for an encore where they continued to properly mash down Babylon system with the songs "Blood Inna Babylon", "International Herb", "I Am Not A Shame" and the cultural "Down In Jamaica" (where Garvey comes from).

Michael Franti & Spearhead have become one of the most beloved performers at Reggae On The River®. Franti always manages to ignite the stage with conscious lyrics, sophisticated music and a playful yet intellectual spirit that is magnified by his incredible love for humanity and his capacity for recognizing and respecting the personal beliefs and practices of others. Michael Franti is a true conveyor of music; a spoken word poet who imparts a very simple truth ( love is the answer to all conflicts. Franti touches a special place in the hearts of everyone who listens. Whether he is performing his Latin-edged "Why Must I Feel Like This Today", the playful and non-judgmental "Stay Human" (all the freaky people make the beauty of the world) or the honest and beautiful "Everyone Deserves Music" (even your worst enemy). Franti skillfully and lovingly performed all these songs on opening night of this year's Reggae On The River®.

It is Franti's beautiful prose that is one of the most powerful aspects of his music and he is a performance artist who really gets down and speaks directly to the people not only about his convictions but also his personal life. His poetic words on the song "What I Be" gives you a glimpse into the thoughts of this gifted and sensitive young artist as he says, "Flowers are a manifestation of love itself. A deep and abiding love. The earth fills with cool waters running through her and rains fall upon her. It is with that love I bring you the flowers. If I could be the sun I'd radiate like Africa. Smile upon the world enter galactic love laughter. If I were the rain, I'd wash away the whole world to pains and bring the gift of cool like ice cream trucks on sunny days and if I were the earth I'd be like mountains bountiful and if I were the sky so high I'd be like wind invincible and if I could be a sea I would give birth to redwood trees and if I were the trees I'd generate the freshest air to breath in…what I'd be is what I be. " Franti and Spearhead left Japan just to be at this year's Reggae On The River® and will head to New Zealand after their show and later touring in Europe. Franti candidly spoke about his experiences with the Italian people and finding that, just like the U.S., most governments do not reflect what the people really feel and in response he wrote the anti-war song "Bomb The World" that Franti says, "expresses our opinion that we should not be fighting a war against terrorism but a war against militarism" as he sings "We can chase down all our enemies/bring them to their knees/we can bomb the world to pieces/but we can't bomb it into peace/we may even find a solution to hunger and disease/we can bomb the world to pieces but we can't bomb it into peace." Franti introduced his next song by telling the crowd about the recent lost of his father who he had over the troubled years learned to love and admire. Many of his band members and staff had also recently lost their fathers and grandfather so, he sang for all the mothers and mothers-to-be the song "Don't Fear Your Best Friends" (because a best friend will never try to do you wrong/don't fear your worst friend/because your worse friend is just a best friend whose done you wrong). With band members Carl Young on bass, Dave Shul on guitar, Manas Itiene on drums and Radio Active on the beat box, Michael Franti and Spearhead provided a beautiful beginning to this year's festival.

Giving the Reggae On The River® crowd a satisfying performance on opening night was Ben Harper & Innocent Criminals with John Massey on bass. Harper moved effortlessly between his acoustic Weissenborn guitar and percussions displaying his instrumental versatility as he performed his ballad laden socio-cultural song "Excuse Me Mister", the gospel and harmony filled "Tattered and Torn" and "Oppression." But it was Harper's folksy rendition of Bob Marley's "Get Up Stand Up" and Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" that really got my attention.



Saturday, August 2nd

The real dancehall section of the festival began when the machine gun vocals of Madhouse Recording artist and dancehall sensation Baby Cham (b. Dameon Dean Beckett, Kingston Jamaica) and the Hard Drive Band ignited the Reggae On The River® stage for the first time. "Mr. Dynamo" shocked out in his trademark rude boy style on the high-octane "Many, Many" (too many girls get slammed through money), "Holiday" riding Dave Kelly's original "Joy Ride." Baby Cham took out the big guns when he gave the crowd a Jamaican dance lesson as he gyrated on the dance moves Log On, Zip It Up, Hand Cart, and new ones called Chop Out The Grass and Pon De River/Pon Deh Plank. Wicked!

The real fire portion of show began when Anthony B and the Startrail Family Band returned for the third time to the Reggae On The River® stage. Bass player Samuel 'One Drop' Richards opened the show with a few of his own songs, the beautiful "Just A Little Song" (I want to sing/say I love King) and "Mr. President." Anthony B received a warm reception from the Reggae On The River® audience when he glided on stage to perform his meditative "Storm Winds" and continued his show in fine style performing his most militant Rasta songs including "Universal Struggle", "Damage", "Prophesy Reveals" and "Hurt The Heart." Anthony B also won approval for his performance of new songs "Wine and Roses" and "Coffin Door" which advocates safe sex in his refrain, "Please pass the condom for me…I don't want to be an HIV victim." Anthony B made the ladies swoon on his performance of "Waan Back" giving a mini show of his sensual water pumpy dance while he called for a return of the peaceful dancehall days and "Who Want The Dancehall to Stop" where the audience joins in to answer, POLICE! Anthony B continued the focus on "Good Cop Bad Cop." It was a new song that caused the audience to quake as Anthony B performed the soulful party song "Fire Fire" (party going on I hear it on the radio) which he transitioned into "Rolling Down The Street." Anthony kept the Rasta fire blazing when he sang a song no one else has heard before with "Bring Tears To My Eyes" and in his own powerful words he says, "Anthony B burns racial discrimination…give it up for Black/White/Indian/Chinese my people know that I'm the real revolutionary. I put fire on the Pope of Rome, InI burn the Queen of England, I burn Tony Blair and George Bush for how they treat the poor. Anthony B's performance of "Joy" got thundering cheers and brought him back on stage for an encore to perform "Good Life" and from his brand new album release Street Knowledge on VP Records and the spiritually uplifting "One Thing." The Startrail Family Band ended an impeccable set with an instrumental performance of Bob Marley's "One Love".

The sweet and sultry voice of Wayne Wonder mesmerized the crowd and his soulful delivery of "Live and Learn", Baby You and I", "Saddest Day" (which is also getting raves for his duo with Foxy Brown on her Def Jam Recording Broken Silence) and "Movie Star" (a version of Delroy Wilson's "I Don't Know Why") definitely proved that he is at the peek of his career. He gloriously excels in satisfying the soul with his Afro-mantic songs and there was no letting go during his set at Reggae On The River® as he thrilled the crowd when he performed his new hit singles "Gotta Be" and "Swept Away." Wayne Wonder also showed his musical versatility by doing a little ‘ting on the keyboards on "No Holding Back" the title track to his VP Record release of the same name. It is no wonder why this artist is riding high and wonders never ceased when this artist licked a boom shot on his performance of "Joy Ride" and "Forever Young" and tore it up on "Bouncy Love" all backed by the Arty World Band.

Just like Reggae On The River®, 28 year old Machel Montanto is also celebrating his 20th year in the music business and the party element was jumpstarted when Machel Montano & Xtatik 5.0 exploded onto the Reggae On The River® stage to perform a variety of risqué party songs that propelled the audience straight into the heart of Trinidadian carnival. Machel Montano gyrated and pumped up the Soca rhythms on the festival song "Jump Up" and "Mad Bull Fever" and he never took a breath as he stripped to the waist and waved his shirt high in the air as the crowd wildly jumped in unison on "Wave Up Your Hands" and "Show Me The Fire." He even sang his own stylish version of Cindy Lauper's "Time After Time." Two female dancers flanked Montano on either side and did their own daring dance moves at the edge of the stage that sent even the most experienced male carnival goers on a thrill ride of a lifetime, as they displayed their ability to pump & grind rude girl style on a number of moves that defied belief. It was truly an incredible high-octane performance by one of Trinidad's most famous Soca stars.

Closing the festival on Saturday was a splendid performance by Ghetto Youth Crew members Stephen, Julian and Damian ‘Jr. Gong' Marley who returned for the second consecutive year to perform at Reggae On The River®. Julian Marley opened the Ghetto Youth showcase with his roots performance of "Lion In The Morning", "Live Together", "Systems" (made to rule) and the lively "Rock With Me." In honor and respect for his father Bob Marley, he gained applause for his performance of "Natty Dread" and "Exodus." The youngest of the Marley family, Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley hit the stage to deafening cheers and opened his set with his trademark songs, "Mr. Marley" and "Me Name Jr. Gong." The strictly ragamuffin style of this young artist is sharpened by his energetic high stepping across the stage and a deft ability to shake it up in pure Hip Hop style and he truly mashed up the place on his performance of "New Way." Jr. Gong launched a thunder ball on his incredible performance of "Slave Driver" a version of his father's international hit "Catch A Fire" and even gave a lesson on morals to the ladies in his song "Where Is The Love" which he remarked, "A lot of ladies are giving themselves away too easily and a lot of males are not holding up their responsibilities, namely their children, and Rastafari burn dat." In his own unique Rasta style, Jr. Gong performed a number of his dad's songs including "Crazy Baldheads", "No More Trouble" and hailing up the words of H.I.M., he sang the powerful Rasta song, "War." Ushering Stephen Marley and Julian Marley on stage it was three the hard way as each artist displayed their individual styles on a number of Bob Marley songs including "Is This Love." It was a unsatisfied crowd that yelled out when MC Leon announced that the show was over and a noise raised to the heavens brought the Marley's back on stage to close out their show with "Show The World" (that love's O.K.) and brought a spectacular close to Saturday's show.



Sunday, August 3rd

The world party continued on Sunday, August 3rd with Birmingham, England's Pato Banton. He is an artist that holds genuine affection in the hearts of his fans. His lighthearted lyrics and broad beaming smile blend handsomely with his music laden with the Reggae rhythms of Ska and dancehall and gave brilliancy to his performance at Reggae On The River®. Especially when he performed his trademark song, "My Name Is Pato Banton" backed by his Revolutionary Band. He also hailed up Bob Marley singing his song "Get Up Stand Up" and songs from his last recording Life Is A Miracle which was 4 years in the making and one of his most prolific works.

Pato Banton spoke to the audience candidly telling them the reason for his long hiatus away from the music saying, "While I was in America on tour two of my sons got shot in a drive by shooting. They were only 13 and 14 years of age. At a children's party, they came outside and some guys were out there trying to kill a guy, missed a guy and hit my two boys and 2 other girls that were just standing outside the party. Thank God none of them lost their lives, they just got sprayed up. After my last album, ‘Life Is A Miracle' I had an opportunity to go and work with the Aborigine community in Australia and I had a chance to go and work with young people in Soweto in South Africa and when I put all these things together in my mind, I thought to myself maybe I need to take some time out and contribute some time back to my community to change the situation that's happening there and since that time we managed to set up a community organization and I am now a qualified lecturer. I teach music and music therapy. I work with gang members and we are doing a lot of positive work in the community but now we have created a good enough team to allow me to get back with the band and dedicate some more time to spread some positive vibrations. I would like to share this next song with you. It is a song I wrote the same night that I heard what happened to my boys and I'd like to dedicate this song to Stephen Marley who I have the utmost love and respect for and I'd like to perform it on Bob Marley's track, "So Much Trouble In The World. Because I can't take the bad boy business. I can't take it!" He then sang the troubling song about innocent bystanders in, "Drive By Shooting." Pato Banton was truly a pleasing addition to this year's show.

Judy Mowatt opened her show with "Thank You Lord" (for what you done for me) and especially for the sisters she sang the lovely "Black Woman" from her landmark album of the same name. Judy Mowatt has clearly given up the Rastafarian culture and now embraces the Christian faith and, in a moving display, she performed "Rather Have Jesus" (than silver and gold). Judy said, "In 1994 something really devastating happened in my life and so at that time my life took a turn and I decided to give my life to the Lord Jesus and I am so happy, I am one of the happiest woman in the world!" Judy Mowatt is now celebrating the release of her new CD, Sing Our Song on Shanachie Records. It may have been somewhat surprising for some to see this artist who was an original member of Bob Marley & The Wailers' and the I Threes (formed in 1975 with Marcia Griffith and Rita Marley) hail up her new King at a show that is laden with Rastafarian beliefs and culture, but it was clearly a transforming moment for this wonderful artist whose soulful vocals will forever hold a special place in the chronicles of Reggae music.

Though Judy Mowatt has returned to her Christian faith after 22 years as a Rastafarian, she is by no means minimized in the hearts of the people who have loved and respected her throughout her life and career. She gave a glorious performance at the 20th Annual Reggae On The River® singing favorites like "Simmer Down" and "Many Are Called" (few are chosen) and as Judy Mowatt explained a transition in Reggae music she said, "A music emerged out of Kingston Jamaica called the Ska…in the 1970's when it became the Rock Steady era the brothers found it difficult to be dancing because it was so rigid they said when they go home from the dancehall it was difficult to perform, so we decided to take it down." Judy then showed us what she is really made of when she performed "Simmer Down" skankin' in true Ska style. It was truly a lovely and historic event to see this artist perform. It is particularly sad to report that Judy Mowatt later suffered a mild stroke a few days after the show. With all our hearts we send our deepest prayers to Judy in hopes that she makes a full recovery and a speedy return to the life she loves and to the people who love and cherish her so much.

The Queen of Reggae Marcia Griffiths says that "In Reggae music we have all kinds of messages and love is the greatest power next to Reggae music which is the greatest weapon we have on earth." Her performance at the 20th Annual Reggae On The River® was one filled with elegance and style as this lovely and talented artist excelled when she sang her version of Bunny Wailer's "Dreamland." She kept the crowd grooving on her smooth reggae and soul style with the songs "Give My Love A Try" and her special version of the Van Morrison song, "I Shall Sing." She also captivated the crowd when she continued her show performing "I Wanna Be Closer", "Fire Burning" and "All My Life" which she sang along side her second son Tuff who was also backup vocalist for his mother. Marcia gracefully invited Judy Mowatt back on stage and they both conducted a beautiful sing along with the audience on Bob Marley's "Every Thing Is Gonna Be Alright", "Three Little Birds" and an up tempo and spirited performance of "Lion In Zion" which gave these queens a chance to dance together. It was wonderful to see these gifted artists perform together to a crowd that truly gave thanks and praises. Marcia continued her show saying, "long live the spirit and message of Bob Marley" followed by a splendid rendition of "Redemption Song." Marcia had everyone line dancing on her original song, "Electric Slide" and throughout her show she royally upheld her title of the First Lady Of Song.

Straight from mashing up Jamaica's Reggae Sumfest, we were all blessed to share a day in the life of Beres Hammond who gave one of the most stunning and heartfelt performances of the entire festival. Backed by the power of the Harmony House Band he opened his incredible show with "What One Dance Can Do" and "She Loves Me Now." His performance of "Step Aside" made the ladies scream and gave a lesson in love to any man who takes his woman for granted as Beres crooned, "Step aside another man wants to take over/‘cause you don't know what you got/and now its time to lose her/she needs tender touch and lovin' arms oh so much to hold her/are you crazy leaving her alone. Remembering the great Dennis Brown, he sang "Can't Stop A Man" (from trying) which is also the title of his upcoming release on VP Records. Beres' gentle spirit washed over the crowed and he never took a pause but delivered song after song of the most soulful and emotion filled songs that actually sent shivers down my spine and made me put down my camera and shout OHHH WEEH! Beres slowed it down with the exquisite songs "Tempted to Touch", "I Wish You Would Stay Longer", "Queen and A Lady", "Falling In Love All Over Again" and "Come Back Home" which he melded beautifully with the Garnet Silk classic "Mama Africa."

Cool me down, blow me round 'cause Beres' wicked and jazzy performance of "Putting Up Resistance" was literally breathtaking. Beres Hammond cooled down the vibe and laid it out on "Pull It Up" and everyone inside was like family, I don't see no strangers around. It's difficult to describe in words the feeling you experience when Beres sings. His voice and demeanor strongly suggest that this man is sharing a part of himself and that each note is coming from deep within his soul. What A vibe, what a vibe! When Beres performed "Pull Up the Vibes" he said, "Everywhere I look at Reggae On The River®, I see people skankin' around" because this one had everyone jumping up and down and Jah know it was a wicked performance! The musical vibe continued as Beres sang "They Gonna Talk" and gave the crowd a love injection on "Reggae Calling." It was so sweet that even Beres had to comment that "This reminds me of the vibe we use to have in Jamaica back in the 70's and 80''s and I miss those days." Beres gently flowed into the song "Rock Away" singing "The whole world needs more music from the heart. Beres was sweet, sweet, sweet and never let go of his tender grasp of the audience, as he sang "Ain't It Good To Know." When Beres moved off stage the audience was near hysteria and MC Leon had no problems coaching them into chanting out Beres name to get him back on stage for an encore. Once back on stage Leon lovingly presented Beres Hammond with trophies from his dual Reggae Awards for Best Song of the Year for "Rock Away" and for Best Male Vocalist. Beres continued his show with the love song, "No Disturb Sign" and later Beres told the crowd that he has so much to be thankful for and gave a special thanks to the promoters and supporters of reggae music. He then sang the prayer of thanks to the father with "Giving Thanks" (for what I got). If only there was a way to bottle a performance forever and rewind and play it over and over again this would be the one the capture.

Giving a fine performance on Sunday was David Lindley & El Rayo X. A charter and honorary member of the Mateel Community Center, David Lindley was the first artist to perform there. After 13 years they have reformed to forward a brand new flavor and they performed versions of the songs "Shake It Up Baby", "Bye Bye Happiness" and a song written by one of the members of the New Zealand band, The Herbs with the reggae-edged "Jah Reggae."

Today I'm going to be the teacher and you are going to be my students says Toots Hibbert who presented his down home soul to a loving audience. Toots & The Maytals made an impressive appearance on the Reggae On The River® stage as they performed some of their most memorable songs and shook it up Jamaican soul style on "It's You", "Pressure Drop" "Get Up Stand Up", and "Time Tough." A dynamic performer Toots Hibbert remains one of the greatest voices in Jamaican music and is a legend in his own time. His career spans more than 30 years and encompasses the entire spectrum of Jamaican music. As the inventor of the word 'reggae' he has achieved the title of the Teacher for Reggae Music. The years seem to never take a toll on the young at heart Toots who like a slow rolling train speeds up the longer he rolls and was most evident on his rapid-fire R&B performance of "Louie, Louie." Toots took us home on the song "Country Road" and his performance of "54-46 That's My Number", "Bam Bam" and "Pomps & Pride" proved just why Reggae Got Soul. Toots Hibbert is truly one of the most enduring artists in Jamaican music and his performance provided a high point to this year's Reggae On The River®.

As the night sky grew darker, the crowd geared up for Jimmy Cliff and the Skool Band. Jimmy Cliff slowly walked on stage dressed in a crimson tailored suit and ready to fire up the Reggae On The River® crowd. Cliff opened his set with his 1980 song, "Reggae Nights" and the 1960 hit song of unity and love, "Wonderful World, Beautiful People." The crowd roared as Jimmy Cliff poured out one great song after another including "Rub A Dub", "Wild World, "Vietnam", "Many Rivers To Cross" and his 1982 song advising rulers to take care and "Treat The Youths Right." Cliff also gave a stunning delivery of "The Harder They Come" the song that began his acting career in the 1973 film of the same name. The Harder They Come is now enjoying it's 2001 re-release by Island Records. Cliff also sang other well-known songs like Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" which was featured in the 1993 film Cool Runnings and the inspirational "You Can Get It If You Really Want." His performance beautifully captured the artistic range of one of Jamaica's most talented performers and made it clear to see just why Jimmy Cliff was recently honored with the Jamaica's Order of Merit (OM) along with fellow artists Ken Booth and Freddie McGregor. The OM, usually presented to high-ranking government officials, cannot be held by more than 15 living individuals and is awarded to Jamaican citizens who have "achieved eminent international distinction in the field of science, the arts, literature…" Quite an honor! Jimmy Cliff is also celebrating the release of his new U.K. album release, Fantastic Plastic People. After receiving a rousing round of applause and cheers Jimmy Cliff was brought back on stage for an encore and soothed the Reggae On The River® audience with his nyahbingi spiritual "Bongo Man" and the gospel flavored "Rivers Of Babylon." A lovely performance by a consummate artist.

Closing the spectacular 20th Annual Reggae On The River® was the great Third World. They graciously shared their 30th Anniversary with us by performing some of their most cherished songs including "Reggae Ambassador", "How Can It Be Forbidden If It's Love" which was adorned by a wicked guitar solo by Stephen 'Cat' Coore and, the 1963 cross-over R&B song, "1963 In The Shade." Third World also performed their newest songs including their version of Bob Marley's "Natural Mystic", the potent party song "Rebel Rock Session" and the title track from their brand new CD release, Ain't Giving Up on Shanachie Records. Third World members, lead vocalist Bunny Ruggs, lead guitarist Stephen 'Cat' Coore, bass player Richard 'Bassheart' Daley, keyboardist Teddy Greens and drummer Tony 'Ruption' Williams gave the festival audience all they could musically ask for and more. Third World continued the reggae party and performed their hit song, "Now That We Found Love" from their ground breaking album, Journey To Addis. Bunny Ruggs kindly thanked all the fans for their loyal support over the years. He then invited Carol Bruno (who he affectionately called Miss Reggae On The River®) on stage to express his appreciation for her friendship and support and thanked all of the people responsible for putting on such a wonderful festival. By popular demand of the Reggae On The River® family, Third World was brought back on stage for an encore and performed the rollicking "Reggae Party." Massive cheers and applause brought Third World back on stage for yet another encore and they were definitely keeping this love alive when they performed the lovely and sentimental "Committed." It was an extraordinary weekend and as Bunny Rugs said in farewell, "Each and everyone give yourself a great big round of applause."

Giving Thanks and Praises to all the staff and volunteers at People Productions and Mateel Community Center for making another great success for Reggae On The River® and congratulations for 20 years giving the people the best in reggae and world music. A special thanks goes out to all the singers and players of instruments and to Miss Reggae On The River®, Carol Bruno ( we all thank you for your continued love, support and respect for all the music that makes the world keep going round. Blessed Love to each and every one!