Beautiful women came out in their best fashion to the Stone Love 37th Anniversary Party, held at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston last Saturday.
At 37 years old, the 'world immortal' sound system Stone Love has the authority of a veteran, youthful spring in its step and friends and fans across generations.
They showed that authority on Saturday night at their anniversary party, held at Mas Camp, New Kingston, with the renowned Forever Young special by Wayne Wonder and Buju Banton, which lifted the large audience. And, reinforcing their veteran status, they played a string of early 1990s specials by Bounty Killer, who has also maintained his standing in dancehall over the years.
Stone Love's youthful offerings came mostly from Bill Cosby, who also collected a trophy for employee of the year. Along with Billy Slaughter, he dropped a series of fresh hot tunes, mostly for the ladies.
And Stone Love's friends turned out behind the turntables, Sky Juice with his splits, quips and splendid white suit to go with his selections, was the jolliest crowd pleaser of the lot; Jagga was as much intent on sermonising about unity as he was about delivering tunes; Kurt Riley's disco offerings tickled but did not turn over the ladies and Liquid and Digital Chris represented the dancehall players on the FM dial.
It was a natty affair, from the selectors' suits to the stylish dressing of the ladies in the audience. Plus, there were the uniformly clad - and often coordinated in movement as well - Magnum ladies, who kept the eye busy even when there was a musical lull.
Wining contest
In terms of volume, the crowd at Mas Camp did not hit its peak until well after 2 a.m. on Sunday and, in terms of reaction to the action on stage, the highs were not only strictly musical, but also for co-emcee Ragashanti's orgasm-simulation competition - in which three women participated - as well as a wining contest run by Miss Kitty in which the fluffy Ruth dismissed contortionist Kartoon (who won an award for best female dancer) emphatically.
There were two of several opportunities members of the audience had to win $10,000 cash, courtesy of Magnum, which naturally proved very popular.
Although the anniversary event was far better than last year's dancer-laden affair, and it had its high points, it still fell short of an over-the-top affair. Probably the reduced volume, noticeable well before Ragashanti explained that it had been done so that the event could enjoy an extension (this was well after the legally stipulated 2 a.m. cut-off time) had something to do with it.
Jolly get-together
The police also dictated that the artistes should perform singly (chances are, in anticipation of clashes). They did not succeed in that objective as Sizzla was first out, called on Bounty Killer, Mavado walked up and it was Alliance and Gully time, Bling Dawg and Chase Cross included. But it was a jolly get-together, with murmurs of peace all around.
Stone Love's 37th anniversary ended at about 4:20 a.m. on Sunday, with the announcement of an outstanding humanitarian award to Shaggy and king of dancing, internationally, and locally to Ding Dong. A slew of posters were read to the departing audience which seemed satisfied, but certainly not bowled over.
As Sizzla said as he rasped one of his early songs in performing at Stone Love's 37th anniversary, "Stone Love you solid as a rock, they just can't stop you now".
This beauty was spotted as she strolled through the Stone Love 37th Anniversary Party, held at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston, on Saturday night.
Veteran selector Sky Juice gave his usual high-energy performance at the Stone Love 37th Anniversary Party, held at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston on Saturday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
MC Ms Kitty ensured that things flowed smoothly at the Stone Love 37th Anniversary Party, held at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston on Saturday night.
Stone Love selector Geefus was up to his usual antics at the Stone Love 37th Anniversary Party, held at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston on Saturday night.