Jamaica's energetic musical sounds will fill the Triad Amphitheater Sunday, June 21, when Reggae Sunsplash 1992 comes to town.
"Splash," however, is a misnomer. This tour - made up of the acts Aswad, Lucky Dube, John Holt, Barrington Levy, Papa San and Skool, and Tommy Cowan - is more like a tsunami: The concert is scheduled to last four hours.What better way to spend a Sunday evening?
The band Aswad (which means "black" in Arabic) consists of Brinsley Forde, Drummie Zeb and Tony Gad. Aswad was the first British reggae band to sign a major label and its first single went to No. 1 on the British charts in 1976.
Dube, who started out playing Zulu pop in South Africa, recently released a new album, "House of Exile." It follows his first freedom-loving album, "Rastas Never Die," which the South African government banned.
A reggae figurehead since the 1960s, Holt began his career as lead singer with the Jamaican group the Paragons. A musical legend in his native land, Holt has had 41 No. 1 hits in Jamaica.
Levy first tasted success in England with two singles, "Shine Eyed Girl" and "Bounty Hunter." With his new album, "Turning Point," Barrington has a plan: "I'm going for the top and trying to break big in the 50 states."
Papa San achieved instant fame in 1984 with the hit single "Animal Party." He has widened his appeal by performing on stage with Young M.C., Biz Markie and the Jungle Brothers.
Skool is the backup band for Holt, Leby and Papa San. Formed in 1988, it is composed of Ray Hitchins, Hopeton Hibbert and Jimmy Peart.
A veteran singer/songwriter, Cowan is one of Jamaica's leading musical influences. He and the band the Jamaicans have had a string of hits, including "Baba Boom," "Take Warning" and "Peace & Love." Cowan most recently has been showing his savvy as a music manager and concert promoter.
The show begins at 6 p.m. in the Triad Amphitheater. Tickets, which cost $16.50 in advance, are on sale at Graywhale CD, all Soundoff locations, Smokey's Records, Raunch Records and Halcyon Square.