Here's a quick report about Rebel Salute-

Rebel Salute was precisely on target invibing all the professional excellence Tony Rebel represents to the reggae music industry. The warm night air clung tightly to serene vibes of the south coast providing a perfect night for staging an all night event. The show was packed with a variety of top rated artists, including the increasing trend to showcase children of the artists, and of highest priority, a major tribute for the upcoming swearing in of President Barack Obama. Jamaica was fully Obamified from printed messages blazing across taxi windows to every day street talk, breaks at recording studios, tv, radio personalities, in the schools, and across the nation from rural countryside to city buses.

Anything Obama was hot so I was more than pleased to have packed my Obama bumper stickers and a few Obama hats to give away backstage. What a great day time to be American on the island. Unplanned reasonings sparked everywhere concerning this historic event providing doses of daily inspiration. Jamaica is a country that supports and has high hopes and love for our President. This was one of the best trips ever as I covered almost two thirds of the island in search of nature and humanity.

This trip, I was only in Negril for two days. The rest of my precious time was spent along the South Coast, Kingston and Portland Parish. I absolutely love Portland and hope to spend much more time there in the future. Having friends in Kingston who have cars make adventure more doable and added to spontaneous stops and queries, some ending up in remarkable journeys. Special gratitude goes to my friend and singer, Zema, who traveled many miles with me even though she was busy working on her next cd, "Jubilee", soon to be released. Truly a blessing with every minute of every day filled with joy and inspiration.

Rebel Salute had so many great acts, it's hard to address them all. From the cool sexy voice of Sanchez, Queen Ifrica in her Barack tee calling for an end to child abuse, Tony Rebel singing about the breaking point of yet 'one more bill,' dashingly handsome and talented, Beenieman dressed in white and gold brocade, the young remarkable talent of 14 year old Choc'lat, the reunion of the four Wailing Souls, Empress lover, Tarrus Riley, Luciano's mother and daughter, Garnet Silk's family including Lovey and a very close look alike relative, the unmistakeable voice of Leroy Sibbles and one of my new favorites, Stephen with Roots Underground. There were many more I will try to highlight in coming posts.

The show seemed to start and finish in the blink of an eye with quick band changes and excellent stage management.

Here's one of the vendors in the press area. No alcohol, no meat but plenty of the meditation.

(more on Portland later tonight)