Soul Britannia at the Barbican

SoulBrittania at the Barbican was da bomb. It was worth it just to see Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band again - my first time since '95. I am surprised that groups like Light of the World and Incognito were not represented - although AWB (Hamish Stuart) & FBI (Root Jackson) were - despite their massive influence. It was also my first opportunity to watch the legendary Cymande in action (check out 'Dove' and 'Rastafarian Folk Song').

Good also to see Jimmy James (of the Vagabonds), Carol Grimes, Madeline Bell, Eddie Floyd, Linda Lewis and Eric Burdon (of the Animals).

Geno Washington

Cymande

Madeline Bell

Eric Burdon

Soul Brittania All-Stars (inc. Root Jackson, Carol Grimes, Linda Lewis)

The whole thing kicked off on Saturday night with a tribute to Lover's Rock, a more soulful, mellow form of reggae that emerged in the late 1970s. Janet Kay performed the classic 'Silly Games' and Victor Romero Evans performed 'At The Club'. Both were also members of the cast for the Channel 4 sitcom 'No Problem' that aired in the early 80s.

Janet Kay & Carol Thompson

Victor Romero Evans

What else to say? Oh yeah, the bistro at the Barbican sucks the sweat off a dead man's balls.