Western Bureau:

While the performances were generally quite good, it was not all dandy at Saturday night's 19th edition of the Pepsi Rebel Salute as truncated sets delivered by some of the top acts to ensure that all the artistes perform, left some disappointed.

Shortened sets aside, fans got value for money from the likes of veteran singer Leroy Gibbons, reggae icon Max Romeo, the dazzling Tarrus Riley, reggae 'royalty' Stephen Marley, the comical General Trees, a compelling Romain Virgo, impressive show bands Raging Fyah and C-Sharp; and the closing act, the fireman Capleton.

In fact, during Capleton's closing set, which was short but quite energetic, the Port Kaiser venue, in St Elizabeth rocked under the combined assaults of shrill screams, a sea of red, green and gold flags and blazing cardboard boxes.

Capleton ensured the fire kept blazing with songs like, Slew Dem, Dem No Like We, Woman Me Lotion and Small World.

While the early acts such as Jah Cutta, Jahdore, Prophecy, Cali P, Cen C Love, Pessoa and Jah9 were all quite good, the real fireworks started with the veteran Maxi Romeo. He was as crisp as a compact disc as he belted out reggae classics such as, War Inna Babylon, Macabee Version, Babylon Raid and Let the Power Fall on I, to screams of appreciation.

The tempo hit fever pitch with the advent of the energetic Gibbons, who was masterful. It was all sweet ecstasy as the patrons reacted with glee to songs such as, Four Season Lover, Missing You, End of Time, Cupid and She Loves Me, which earned the artiste one of the night's few encores.

Riley was flawless, reeling off songs like Shakazula Pickney, Battlefield, Friend/Enemy, Stay With You, She is Royal and Good Girl Gone Bad. He was ably aided and abetted by his mentor Dean Fraser, who had the audience in awe with his excellent saxaphone rendition of Buju Banton's, Untold Story.

Marley, who shared his set with his internationally acclaimed deejay brother Junior Gong and two members of his Ghetto Youth camp, evoked pleasing memories of his late father, reggae king Bob Marley. He was soulful yet compelling as he mesmerised with songs such as, Iron Lion Zion, No Cigarette Smoking, and Made in Africa. His combination songs with his brother; and a breathtaking rendition of Haile Selassie is the Chapel, were cherished moments.

Trees, Virgo and promoter Tony Rebel all performed contrasting sets, creating different emotions with the fans.

The 'general' had the fans in stitches with his witty dance moves and hilarious lyrics on songs like Bible and Key, Wha Eye Nuh Si and Lick Him But Nuh Kill Him, while Virgo had the fans nodding with approval as, sometimes with tears in his eyes, he stood tall on songs like, Serious Time, Feels It Knows It and Taking You Home.

After being beautifully serenaded by his 12 children, who sang for him and then assisted him in cutting his 50th birthday cake, promoter Tony Rebel, in a remarkable show of gratitude to the fans for their support over the years, deliver a fabulous hit-filled set, which included, Chatty Chatty Mouth, Just Friends, Know Jah, Fresh Vegetable and I Can't Recall.

International star Maxi Priest, veteran deejay Admiral Bailey, Gramps Morgan, Mikey Spice, Yami Bolo, Iba Mahr, Luciano and a heavily pregnant Queen Ifrika were among the acts that played shortened, albeit well-received sets to ensure all the booked artistes performed.