For Romain, the concert series came on the heels of a very successful performance in Montego Bay at the 27th installment of Reggae Sumfest. His stellar performance in NJ featured ‘Love Sick’ ‘Soul Provider,’ ‘Stay with Me,’ ‘I Am Rich in Love,’ ‘Who Feels It Knows It,’ ‘I Know Better,’ ‘Mi Caan Sleep,’ ‘Another Day, Another Dollar’ and ‘Leave People Business. So good was the ‘Love Sick’ singer, that comparisons with a young Beres Hammond have started to surface.
Maxi made way for perennial crowd favorite Beres Hammond who lived up to his top billing. For more than 60 blistering minutes, the ‘Boss’ mesmerized fans with love ballads and vintage classics including ‘Come Back Home,’ ‘Step Aside,’ ‘What One Dance Can Do,’ ‘She Loves Me Now,’ ‘Stay Longer,’ ‘Putting Up Resistance,’ ‘Can You Play Some More,’ ‘No Disturb Sign’ and many others. Midway his set, a female fan shouted that she was celebrating her birthday. Beres initially serenaded her with his 1978 hit ‘One Step Ahead’ but in a surprise move, the birthday girl asked if she could join the ‘Boss’ for one song. Beres obliged. What transpired was euphoric! The two singers created musical magic, crooning ‘Live On’ that Beres originally recorded with Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths. The effort earned rapturous applauds from the sold out crowd inside the NJPac
“We did it again! The shows were well attended and every patron I spoke with, left fully satisfied” event promoter George Crooks of Jammins Events said in an interview.
Crooks also singled out radio, print and digital media for their support; Jammins team of workers for their dedication to producing top class events and the venue organizers at Ford Amphitheater and NJPAC for their professionalism.
Prior to his New Jersey performance, Beres who has been visiting and performing in Newark for several years, was recognized with a proclamation by the City of Newark. Making the presentation backstage was Esther Lewars, Newark Caribbean Commission Chairperson.
