Reggae Radio and Concert Photos by Reggae MAX

Beenie Man is probably the hardest working man in Jamaica and I have no doubt he puts on more shows in Jamaica than any other artist. I had the unique opportunity to see Beenie Man perform two shows in one week when he did the Sunset Show at Negril Escape just two days after I saw him perform the Whitehouse show in rural Jamaica.

This show was more for tourists than locals and you could actually feel the difference between the two sets. Both shows were high energy and well worth the trip but things felt a bit more relaxed at the Negril Escape show where "The King of Dancehall" would perform for a "whiter" crowd.

King Beenie was having fun and he took the time to spread some love for Barack Obama and the state of polittrix in the world. Beenie went as far as to claim that Obama was now the greatest black man to have lived in his life when he became the President of the United States. It was a powerful moment and I was proud to have been there when Beenie gave his blessings to the new leader of the free world.

Beenie Man Dancehall Photos

Beenie Man Dancehall Videos

Bunny Wailer is a living legend and founding father of reggae music. He's been in the music business for as long as many of his fans have been alive and he put on a show like you could not believe. As sole surviving Wailer and reggae roots legend this man has done his fair share of reggae shows and this was a great concert for Bunny Wailer.

Bunny ran through a list of his power songs and some of reggae musics biggest hits in an energy packed set that just screamed raw fire. Bunny is almost as old as dirt but he kicked it across the stage like a teenage boy strutting his new suit and he was having fun for sure. The Smile Jamaica Africa Unite Concerts are in tribute to an old friend of Mr Wailer and Bunny paid his respect to Bob and Marley Clan during his set.

Bunny Wailer at Smile Jamaica Photo Gallery

Bunny Wailer at Smile Jamaica YouTube Video

It was a New Years Show to remember with Etana The Strong One giving us a powerful performance in Sav La Mar Jamaica for the 2009 Sav Impact reggae festival on January 1, 2009. The first annual event had a strong turnout and everyone was excited about the lineup of feature artists on stage.

Etana is having an incredible year with Record of The Year and Female Artist of 2008 as her claimed titles. Etana has a silky sultry voice with thought provoking lyrics that empower us women and female fans from around the world.

Etana has a roots reggae culture with meaning and feelings in her music and those emotions come out on stage when she performs. Her stage show and prescience are felt in any arena and when Etana hits the stage you knows its going to be a good time.

Tarrus Riley is having a great year as the Top Reggae Artist of 2008 and this show was a great way to end it. Tarrus performed for the Sunset Show at Negril Escape in front of a small crowd of mostly friends and local neighbors from Negril and the West End and guests of the all inclusive seaside resort.

Tarrus has had great success with his new album "Parables" and the crowd was excited to get a sampling of his top hits including "Lions Paw" and of course "She's Royal". The show got a late start but things picked up once Tarrus and his Gumption Band hit the stage after midnight. The long set change was worth the wait when you hear Tarrus with his own backing band and the many talents of his stage manager and saxophone great Dean Fraser.

Riley and Fraser had a lot of fun with the band and the crowd and they entertained us with a musical showdown where Fraser would copy Rileys vocals with his saxophone. Tarrus had a lot of fun and was a most gracious entertainer. He took time to meet and greet with most of the crowd and shook hands with just about everyone. He posed for at least a dozen photographs and everyone was glad to have met him and the rest of the Gumption Band.

Anthony Able performs at Bourbon Beach in Negril Jamaica

Beres Hammond is a Reggae legend born in 1955 in the province of St. Mary in Annotto Bay, Jamaica and his Saturday night performance at Reggae Sumfest was the stuff of legends. Beres belted out his top hits and the crowd could not get enough of the Reggae Superstar with the smoky voice of a crooner.

Beres is the king of Lovers Rocks and his performance is an easy listening kinda reggae with a soulful beat and the lyrics of love and romance. I brought a trio of ladies from Negril with me to this show as they were all excited to see Beres and Tarrus perform on the same night. The ladies love his hits and crowd favorites like "Putting Up Resistance" had just about the entire crowd of 32,000 people singing along word for word as we all enjoyed a special moment in time when everyone sings away the worries of the day.

The final night of Reggae Sumfest 2008 was a wet party with a rainstorm pouring all day long had the entire field slippery with mud. The rain eventually stopped and everyone was able to enjoy the show but standing out in the crowd as I ways for this performance was a great experience for me and the friends who joined me for the last show. You could feel the powerful vibe of a crowd favorite and he fact everyone was feeling the music at the same time was awesome.

It was an inspirational performance by the entire band as we were treated a special band preview which highlighted the many talents that travel the world with the reggae legend. It's obvious that he has a great backing band and being to sample the talents of each player as he went through them was a unique experience.

Beres Hammond put on the best performance of the night with Tarrus running a close second. I think Beres had a few more fans in the older more experience crowd and the power of everyone singing together was more intense in my opinion.