From left: Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and American sprinter Tyson Gay, attempt to show off their dancing skills at 'Night On Tracks', featuring Asafa Powell and Friends in concert at the National Indoor Sports Centre, on Sunday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
If there was anything disappointing about Night on Tracks, it would be that those who were not there, missed a night of mostly great performances.
Hosted first by Denise Hunt, who was then relieved by Jennifer 'Jenny Jenny' Small, the concert was an entertaining sprint through more than a dozen top-quality acts whose performances were cherry-topped when Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt, and specially invited guest, American sprinter Tyson Gay, arriving as pillion riders on motorcycles, entered the stage together and showed off their dancing skills. Or, as in Gay's case, the lack thereof.
Powell also received raucous approval and applause for his dancing skills, as well as his rendering of the Dennis Brown classic, Love And Hate.
Tarrus Riley was among the best performers of the night, engaging an animated audience that, only moments before, was energised by a powerful Tanya Stephens' set that included These Streets and It's A Pity.
Star status
Riley has truly achieved star status here in Jamaica with his uplifting songs. Even before he arrived on the stage, the fair-sized audience inside the National Indoor Sports Arena was on its feet, brought there by Stephens. Riley had them dancing with even more zest as he reeled off a series of hits including Stay With You, Good Girl Gone Bad, Cut It Off, and his rendition of the Michael Jackson hit, Human Nature.
He was not the only performer to use the late King of Pop's music, as Nadine Sutherland masterfully executed a reggae-styled medley of Heal The World and Man in the Mirror. As she sang, she urged the audience to sing along. Sutherland, now a veteran of the stage, wowed the audience with her sensual wining and strong vocals, much like Cherine Anderson, who only seems to get sweeter with each performance.
Recently returned to Jamaica from tour dates abroad, Anderson, the little woman from east Kingston with the big vocals, unleashed a stirring performance of her latest hit Real Love as well as staples like Talk If You Talking. Dressed in a shimmering blue sequinned dress and sporting a Mohawk-inspired coif, Jamaica's newest international star strutted across the stage like the veteran she really is and brought great energy to the night.
Chris Martin was also among the outstanding acts of the night. Martin, who is from the Big Yard stable, had the ladies screaming from the outset - just the way he likes it - and with his confidence at an all-time high, did not disappoint, reeling of some of his favourites, like Jamaican Girl and All My Ladies. He snuck in a verse from his new song Nuh Fit Me. The response to the lyrics was genuine and there was some generous laughter. He also brought onstage label-mate D-Major and together they performed their most recent release, Real Friends.
Chino, Freddie McGregor's talented spawn, was incredible and powerful during his set that included the smash hit From Mawning and the fresh-sounding Protected, which he opened with.
Tessanne Chin continues to prove that she possesses perhaps the most pure of vocal talents in Jamaica today. Attired in a grey shift dress and matching silver heels, she performed her hit Hideaway after opening with Family, a song she co-wrote about two years ago with producer Glen Browne, but recently recorded it.
Duane Stephenson was also outstanding, performing his hits, August Town, Cottage In Negril and his new single called Black Gold.
Among the most talented performers of the night, was also one of the smallest. Violinist Jessica Yapp provided a stirring rendition of Bob Marley's Jammin'. Clad in a little, silver dress, her violin tucked under her chin while she stroked the strings with her bow, and bopping to the beats, Yapp drew frequent bursts of applause and gasps from the appreciative audience.
High standard
She helped maintain the high standard that was set by opening act Martin's Heritage, a brother-sister gospel group that began with tear-jerking performances of My Prayer and Well Done. That set the tone for Omari, who delivered a fine perfor-mance of Father God and Help.
That standard was not allowed to fall for most of the night as performance after performance pleased the audience. The Raging Fire Band, Ras Penco, Marcia Griffiths, To-Isis, Rootz Underground, Everton Blender (who should never just perform one song, he's that good), Jody Ann Pantry, Iceman, Ashley Ann Martin, Alibra, Chalice, I-Octane, Mykal Rose and Richie Stephens, all delivered solid performances.
Freddie McGregor closed out the night in his usual sweet style. McGregor might be aging now, his neat locks now more grey than black, but his voice is just as steady and sweet as he crooned favourites, including Push Come To Shove and I'll Wait For You. He closed with Winner, which, in many ways, summed up the night.
This female patron was seen enjoying the musical vibe at 'Night On Tracks' with Asafa Powell and Friends in concert on Sunday.