| It was a perfect Miami night; clear skies, balmy breeze, | | | | and Peter Tosh, there were moments where he |
| and a Reggae festival in the park. The 16th Caribbean | | | | sounded (and looked) like Lucky Dube. "I wanted to |
| (formerly Marley) Festival was jammin' alongside the | | | | really and truly show these people that...hey, I am Buju |
| bay and the downtown park was rammed. Positioned | | | | Banton!" When I mentioned that he gave the people |
| between Capleton and Ky-mani's set, the | | | | everything, he quickly interjected, "I didn't show them |
| show-stealing Buju Banton fired up the crowd with a | | | | everything. I wanted to do more...a little Ska, and more |
| 60+-minute set that left fans shouting "forward!" If you | | | | that could have been added, but true, my time was |
| have not seen Buju before, or if you haven't in a while, | | | | short." |
| his presentation and professionalism will have you also | | | | Gearing up for the April 21, 2009, release of Rasta Got |
| clamoring for more. (See Fest review) | | | | Soul, his much-anticipated CD, the Gargamel is looking |
| I caught up with the 36-year-old Rasta lion following his | | | | to "uplift, educate, and stimulate" his fans. Sure to |
| mind-blowing performance and congratulated him on | | | | accomplish this, Buju Banton toured Canada for two |
| an outstanding show. "It is my first Bob Marley fest in | | | | weeks in May, will be in Europe in June and July, and |
| Miami and I wanted to do something different from the | | | | return in the fall for shows in the USA. The bouncy, |
| regular," said a smiling Buju, "I wanted to come out of | | | | upbeat new single, "A Little Bit Sorry" is available now. |
| the Dancehall a little bit and do something special." On | | | | "It's Ska," Buju describes it, "a reality song that reaches |
| stage he was dressed in a casual grey with white trim, | | | | the consciousness and the heart and mind of |
| button-down, pocketed sweater with slick pants and | | | | everyone. And they know...no one is above sorry." |
| criss' shoes; his dreadlocks flying and skanking knees | | | | Buju's love of Ska music is not something new. You |
| lifted right up to his chin, Buju's flawless performance | | | | will find Ska tunes on his Inna Heights (1997) and |
| skillfully segued from Dance hall to Roots to Lovers | | | | Friends in Life (2003. |
| Rock. Sometimes sounding like his icons Bob Marley | | | | |