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Covering the Beres Hammond show on April 17, 2002 proved somewhat harrowing as before his show began, I was roughly roused from the front stage area of The Justice League in San Francisco by an over zealous security person who threatened to bodily throw me out of the club for photographing the performance. Even when I presented proof of my press affiliation along with my club access to the malignant security and, even when the promoter of the show validated my proof to the loutish brut, I was then rudely told by him that if I didn't remove my film, my camera would be destroyed and that I could be sued by the club. Amusingly, it appeared unfathomable to him when I tried to explain that I had no film because I was using a digital camera. Later, after additional rousting by the feisty security, I was cleared by Beres Hammond's manager and allowed to take my place back in front of the stage. The reception I received there was overwhelming as the ladies, who completely ruled the front stage and had seen the altercation between me and security, lovingly cleared a path for me and greeted me with cheers and welcoming hugs as I once more set myself to begin photographing the show.

Now, I realize that the Justice League probably had little knowledge of the Nazi-like behavior of this arrogant little flea who posed as commandant throughout the club, rousting both patrons and media alike and blatantly giving backstage access to the people of his choice. It should be enough to say that this reporter found the experience repugnant and unfortunate because due to this unnecessary commotion, I was unable to cover the opening performers, which I highly regret.

Though Beres' show spanned less than an hour, he managed to pack that short time with a lavish parcel of his most loved songs including "They Gonna Talk, "Sweetness", "Queen and A Lady", "Pull It Up" and his timeless rendition of the Garnett Silk song, "Hello Mama Africa" and the sensual "No Disturb Sign." When Beres sang, "Putting Up Resistance" the house literally went wild and somehow, though all the tribulations I passed through that night, I felt in my heart that he was singing this song especially for me! Giving me the strength to "Cool Up The Vibes" and follow Beres' lead by "Putting Up Resistance" to work it out!

Give Thanks to Beres Hammond for an inspiring and breathtaking performance. Love and Respect goes out to promoter Philip Elleston of San Francisco's Intriguing World of Reggae www.eiwreggae.com for bringing Beres Hammond's Music Is Life Tour to the people of San Francisco. Also, I would like to send a special "Shout Out" and "Big Up" to the beautiful audience that helped to make the Beres Hammond show especially nice and as Beres so beautiful expressed, "I Feel Blessed to Be Amongst Such Beautiful People." Giving Thanks! ³

Truly "Taking Over" San Francisco's Justice League for two nights on April 19^th and 20^th was the great Sizzla Kalonji, Turbulence and the Xterminator Crew who rocked a packed house with blazing performances including lick shots from their perspective new albums, The Story Continues (Sizzla) and Rising (Turbulence) both on VP Records. Sizzla also gave the audience a blazing retrospective of songs from his most popular album titles, including the songs "Black Woman and Child", "Make Dem Secure", "Give Dem A Ride", "Words of Divine" along with songs from his soon to be released album, The Story Continues. Sizzla is also scheduled to perform at this year's Ninth Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival to be held at Angels Camp, California on June 21, 22 and 23. For more information contact www.snwmf.com

Moving around the Bay Area, I have been hard at work photographing and covering the live performances of the California leg of The Mighty Diamonds' 2002 Rise Up Tour sponsored by Stablewest Productions. The Mighty Diamonds are Jamaica's most loved harmony trio and include lead singer Donald 'Tabby' Shaw, Lloyd 'Judge' Ferguson and Fitzroy 'Bunny' Simpson. The Diamonds are well into their California tour to promote their excellent new CD, "Rise Up" scheduled for release by VP Records. The Mighty Diamonds are skillfully backed by the Yardbeat Band (Bunny Wailer's backing band) with members Barrington Bailey on trombone, Bobby Ellis on trumpet, Cortland 'Gizmo' White on guitar, Daniel 'Axeman' Thompson on bass, Derrick 'Stuey' Stewart on drums and Earl Fitzsimmons on keyboards along with engineer Murvin Williams. The Mighty Diamonds started their California tour at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on April 17^th and have performed at The Sierra Vista in scenic Tahoe City on April 20^th, Harlow's in Sacramento (Renegade Productions) on April 28^th and The Last Day Saloon on May 4^th. Throughout the California tour the Diamonds have received the warmest reception from fans that tell me they really love this group. The Diamonds were given an especially beautiful reception at San Francisco's Last Day Saloon on April 29^th. The group will now move on to Athens, Ohio where they are scheduled to perform on May 11^th and on May 12^th at Peabody's Downunder in Cleveland, Ohio. Returning to Northern California the Mighty Diamonds are schedule to perform on May 14^th at LaSalles in Chico, California, at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on May 15th and at Berkeley's Ashkenaz on May 16^th. Check out the Diamonds complete tour schedule at www.niceup.com/schedules/mighty_diamonds and make sure you come back to the Reggae Review for complete coverage of their live shows in the June 2002 issue.

Blessed Love