Photos by Neil Berment & Shabazz Photos

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"Aye aye aye .... woy yoy yoy .... yey yey yey .... ah ready to fly aye aye ... I'm so high aye aye ... up in ah de sky aye aye ..... now everybody spread yuh wings and fly away ... and let me see your rags up, flags up, everybody hands up….. let me see yuh fling it up ..." and that's how Machel Montano entered the stage to a raving and flag waving crowd at the Underground ATL Depot on Saturday May 24th.

The night started off with Soca Diva from Miami via Dominica, spinning rel nice. She blazed Soca music from every island. Smally could rel play, she even link the crowd with ah Meringue mix, that had them bawling. Next up was ATL's Tony Tempo, who picked up the slack. The road mix he hit the crowd with had them spinning and shouting for more. Now if yuh didn't know, one of the hottest Soca DJs in de world was in ATL, and that is the sign that ah sweet party in de making. Yes people, NY's Back to Basics was inside in building! He really set the place on fire, ripping tune after tune (and we talkin' bout nonstop hit after hit), prior to the HD band taking the stage.

After an eight year absence from the ATL scene, rumor had it that the HD concert may not have gotten off the ground. But Machel said it in his opening song (Higher Than High), "Get ready to fly aye aye..." and so Ladies and Gentleman, we had lift off .... and Carnival Eruption with Montano Montano HD literally took off!! For Montano, performing is no longer an art, it's a science - and boy he has mastered it!!

Feeding off the high energetic performances that night, was former Xtatik member Farmer Nappy with his 2007/2008 hit tune "Chippin". Allyuh know it right? "Ah Chipping Down De Road Wit Meh Own Woman ... Meh Own Woman ... Meh Own Womannnnnn." Big tune? Yes, without no doubt!! (Watch 2008 Interview with Farmer Nappy) As soon as Farmer took the stage, the crowd began to chip - from the band members, to the security, to the TJJ Crew. Just ask Panidad next time yuh see her!!

Even Patrice Roberts with her gorgeous smile, had the Underground throwing rel waist, rocking from left to right and back to front with her hit songs "Wukkin Up", "Mo Wuk" and "Thunder Waist".

So from the inside, the fete was a success. However, for some odd reason, TJJ was wondering why it had about 300 people standing outside for about 2 hours, using one small entrance when there were two available? Hmmm. An how in ah Machel fete, yuh could run out of beer? Hmmm. Granted, they were not sure of the turn out, but having Machel Montano HD anywhere is almost a guaranteed sell. And more beers means more waist throwing right through the night!!

At the end of the night, everyone had a really good time. TJJ will be in ATL in 2009 with another big crew to bring you exclusive coverage. BrightWorks, Island Coast and Krushmore ... thanks for having us guys.

"By de way, Jungle Juice whey allyuh going next?" asked a fete-go'er. "We heading to Woman with Destra and then to De Panyard for The Original Breakfast Party," we replied. The man said, "For real? I coming too yes .... I want to be on Trini Jungle Juice!!" That's right ... "A" is for Action!

The TJJ ATL Carnival Frontline on da move...

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