by Howard Campbell
Queens, New York — A packed home of Caribbean-Individuals celebrated the tenth anniversary of Groovin In The Park at Roy Wilkins Park right here on June 25. They noticed high quality performances from Minister Marion Corridor, Wayne Surprise, Cham, Tarrus Riley and R&B singer Charlie Wilson.
It was the primary time since 2019 that the occasion was staged, postponed as a result of hazard of COVID-19. Christopher Roberts, who began Groovin In The Park in 2011, was happy with the turnout.
“We have been anxious as a result of we’re held on one of many busiest music weekends of the 12 months and getting artists is a problem. However we’re glad to see individuals come out and luxuriate in themselves,” he mentioned.
There was some disappointment with the late withdrawal of Spice, who selected to carry out on the BET Awards that night time in Los Angeles. Many followers had anticipated a conflict with Corridor, however the artist previously generally known as Woman Noticed, was having none of it.
“This present was promoted that manner, individuals pondering it’s gonna be Woman Noticed or her sister. However I cannot return to Woman Noticed…I do know I used to be coming right here with the Holy Spirit,” she mentioned.
Corridor gave a spirited efficiency that had the 15,000 followers actually consuming from her palms. Songs like Warrior, I’m Doing Higher and Freedom mirrored the Christian religion she accepted eight years in the past.
Sound Conflict
The sound system conflict with Dynamq from South Sudan, David Rodigan of the UK, Yard Beat from Japan and Jamaica’s Bass Odyssey additionally went effectively. The victor was Dynamq, who as soon as lived in a Kenyan refugee camp, the place he found Jamaican popular culture.
Wayne Surprise, Frisco Child and Cham returned to the Nineties and their stint at Mad Home Data with producer Dave Kelly. Followers waving Jamaican flags rocked to Little And Cute, Rubbers, Joyride, Maintain Them Coming, Ghetto Story and Vitamin S, songs which dominated that decade.
Tarrus Riley stored the momentum going with a gentle efficiency that additionally noticed him paying tribute to the Nineties with renditions of hits like Garnet Silk’s Hi there Mama Africa and Rougher But, performed by his father Jimmy Riley. The most important cheers, nonetheless, got here for his ballad She’s Royal.
Charlie Wilson was in very good kind all through an hour-long set, which heard him doing gems from his days in The Hole Band equivalent to Excellent, Craving For Your Love and Burn Rubber, in addition to his solo hits which embrace There Goes my Child and Charlie, Final Title Wilson.
Originally posted 2023-07-01 00:21:23.