The Ultimate Soul Weekend

By Finetwine

Soulful, classic and a blast from the past is what Timeless Entertainment brought when they hosted the “Ultimate Soul Weekend” during September 25-27, 2009 at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.

The weekend which dazzled patrons with the islands talented vocals, Alison Hinds, Ayana John, Dwayne Husbands, Kellie Cadogan, Krosfyah, Rosemary Philips and Ria Borman and international greats such as Deborah Cox, En Vogue, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osbourne, CeCe Winans, Peabo Bryson.

Unfortunately I could not attend all of the weekend, but what I can speak to is the Saturday night where, Dwayne Husbands opened the show and did so in fine fashion, with a selection of songs including songs by Ne-yo and his signature, John Legend, Dwayne also tantalized the crowd with his song, “simple mathematics” which is getting some rotation on our local airways. The night went on with a fine looking, 61 year old, Jeffrey Osbourne giving the patrons a ride on the soul train, to back in the day with some of his classic songs like “On the wings of love” and the “Woo-woo” Song, which led to an interactive session where persons were asked to woo, woo. Unfortunately for Mr. Osbourne, he didn’t realize that when he targeted Mr. Anderson Armstrong, to Woo Woo, he would be blown away by such a strong and in tune voice, standing on his chair and Woo Wooing his heart out, much to the crowd’s pleasure!

Stephanie Mills not to be out done, was “Ms Diva Extraordinaire” coming on stage in a Short green dress, sparkly red mic and mic stand, three handsome dudes singing back up and Miss Mills got down like it was “1962!” and when I say got down, I mean GOT DOWN, as she gyrated and Beyonce bopped, kudos, to her for a woman of age, she MOVED!!

Not to be left out, our local queen, Kellie Cadogan, gave a number of gospel selections that were touching and left goose bumps on your flesh. However, the highlight of the evening was Krosfyah, with lead singers, Edwin Yearwood and Khiomal Nurse, giving us the usual uptempo beats, but also a special treat of some love ballads that were dynamic to say the least! Edwin’s voice is well seasoned and hits every note as if it is stringing on a violin, Khiomal also has a voice that is out of this world!

The magical evening came to a close and at the end of the event, the only down side to it would be the tactless way VIP patrons were asked to pay for drinks after the complimentary ones in the opening reception, if a person is paying $200 for a ticket, one would expect that drinks are free flowing through out the night, after all, what are you paying for? Another thing that could be looked at next year, would be to monitor the amount of VIP tickets that are sold, so that seating reflects that, excess seating makes the room look empty and encourages the MC and the entertainers to invite ordinary patrons into the VIP section, this is not a fair practice, since a VIP patron may feel slighted that they spent X amount of dollars while the ordinary man spent less and will be treated to the same privileges as limited as they were.

On a happier note, I must say that the evening was very well put together and the word on the street is that next year will be just as vibrant! I for sure will be waiting with bated breathe for a musical joy ride, and if I could be presumptuous to suggest to Mr. Ronnie Morris, I would love to see Boyz II Men, Usher, Ne-yo, Joe, SWV, Escape and Lauryn Hill, to name a few, just in case you needed help in your selection love!

If you missed it this year, don’t next year, bigger and greater things are in store for the Ultimate Soul Weekend 2010!

By FineTwine