Festival Show - Sly & Robbie and Michael Rose with Roni Size and Howie B


Roni bores us, Howie interests us, and Sly, Robbie, and Michael move us.

Roni Size started out with a drum and bass set that pretty much left everyone flat. (Those who didn't simply walk out, that is). I don't think his stuff works at all in a venue like that. He had MC Tali with him. She's from New Zealand evidently.





Next was Howie B, who did, I thought, a surprisingly good set for a knob twiddler. It was loaded with subtlety and heavy grooves. I really enjoyed it. I was even able to overlook that fact that they were using a Macintosh screen saver as his background.





And then finally Sly and Robbie with Michale Rose took the stage. For those unfamiliar with Sly and Robbie, they are probably the most famous reggae rhythm section of all time. it's impossible to underestimate their significance. Michael Rose was once the lead singer of Black Uhuru. He has a fantastically sweet and yet strong voice. The place was jumping from start to end.

Imagine how hard it is to take a picture of a big black guy in a big black coat, wearing a black ballcap on a black background in poor lighting. Argh.








Posted: Fri - June 13, 2003 at 08:58 AM   Meltdown   The Shows   Email Comments

© Adam Smith