Photos by Cindy Palmer Photography

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Hey man, long time I haven’t been to a reggae concert. Too long ... so you already know that I was definitely excited to check out the now legendary Marley brothers. Raggamuffin and Jr. Gong to be precise! We set out extra early for this one because the location of the venue, Club Amazura is located in an area in Queens that is almost impossible to find parking!!! We made out just cool, the early plan was definitely a great idea.

Of course, we had to submit to the usual frisk... I never like that - but hey, safety first! Amazura was surprisingly spacious. I mean it’s huge!!! It’s the perfect venue for a nice big Soca fete ... but back to the irie vibes. The DJ's of Irie Jam were just bussin' chunes!!! Pure conscious vibes. You know, just a lil' rockin to and fro, a lil' skank here and there and of course a lil' slow wine. Hey you know I don’t have to mention how thick the smoke was in there right? Hee Hee ... easy easy. Seriously though the chunes were taking us back in times of the days of Dennis Brown and Bob himself. Wowie!!! The vibes were truly hypnotic. Hol yuh head, bun a lil', salute with your drink, flash up unno lighta!!!

Speaking of drinks, the service at the bar was awesome. Even though it was a dry night for me (only energy drinks), the service was still on par. Hey, I did notice that a lot of the men were drinking from a wee little bottle and were quite content with just that. I hear it’s some sort of enhancer. Enhancing what? No clue. Okay, maybe I do have a small clue!!

Soon the place was ram with an extremely diverse crowd. The crowd assembled in front of the stage as they awaited the start of the show while still rockin' to the smooth reggae beats. We were told that show time was at 2am and sure enough Stephen was introduced first to perform setting it off with "Soul Rebel", "Redemption" and a slew of their father’s greatest hits strumming his guitar. Sweeeeet!

The tempo soon picked up with "Mind Control". I was secretly waiting for my boy Mos Def to make a cameo. The crowd continued to groove to some more classic Bob like "No Woman No Cry" and "Buffalo Soldier". I swear chunes like these just gets your mind riiight!! While I am sure everyone, including myself, reveled in the vibe the tempo was up again with "Let Her Dance" and "Traffic Jam". Well yuh done know who buss on de stage ... Jr. Gong aka Damian Marley aka my other husband in my head!! *lol* Hear nah man ... folks it was bananas after that!

I think I was lost in a trance!!! Their band is sooo amazing and the Hitalotathon® just kept on going! "Pimper’s Paradise", "The Mission", "Welcome to Jamrock" ... need I say more? We gone clear! Of course, as you know in a soca fete yuh muss have ah rag or a flag, well at a reggae concert yuh muss have a lighta!!! The energetic Jr. Gong requested that we flash up our lightas, or cell phone or just show hands! I think I nearly fainted because it was just so awesome!!! He was hopping around and literally doing a series of jumping jacks with his magnificent locks swinging!

I have to mention the back up singers, one of them being Marcia Griffith’s daughter. Just the thought of both family histories made you feel the energy even more. It was just pure love at Amazura. This is one I would not soon forget, trussss!

Could you be looooved! Whoo hooo! The Marley brothers are the perfect act! Hey, I could have jammed all morning and when they were done, we were treated to an encore!!! Simma down!!!! Phew! Trust me, I love bringing it to you loyal juicers out there. Wish you were there. Hey maybe some of you were... see you at the next flex!

Blessings,
Petite