Last Warning: Help Shashamane!

The dance at the ICC was spread out over 3 rooms: a dancehall, a room for live performances and Black Pearl Soundsystem, and another room with even more dub & roots sounds. When we arrived, we could immediately enjoy the African inspired selection lonyouth had prepared especially for this session. They played in the small room on Unification Sound's new sound system. After their performance Forward Fever took the stage and really went all out, playing the way they also did at Dub (R)evolution in Bruges, using many of their own productions, which sometimes even beat dubs from the UK.

After that, it was time for Selassie I Soundz (friends can call him Renè) and Lyrical Benji's long-awaited set (in my opinion one of the highlights of the evening). Benji was in top form, playing on dubs which Selassie I Soundz mixed through the sound. Their set was interrupted way too early however, because Fitta Warri couldn't wait to mount the stage and do his thing. He was actually supposed to play at the big room, but the performance there, by Greentongue Family and Jah Rej, went on longer than expected, which caused Fitta Warri to become nervous and wanting to perform with Unification Sound. There's not much to say about his performance; let's just say his style wasn't really my thing.

I just returned to the big room, for the last moments of Greentongue Family and Jah Rej and would love to hear and see more from them in the future. I man T, the backings, percussion, horns player and Jah Rej behind the buttons: a perfect setup! We wanted more and they proved a more than decent alternative for Ital Horns and Dubdadda, who unfortunately had to cancel. The sound pushed the performance to a higher level, a sharp contrast to last week's session in Bruges. Greentongue and Jah Rej sounded a lot warmer and deeper than they did on Funktion One.

After that performance it was again Black Pearl Soundsystem's turn, with Jah Mike and Delica Dub at the control tower. Their set lived up to expectations: perfect sound and an excellent selection! Then on to Crucial Alphonso and Missing Link, in turn followed by Jah Vibes and Jah Roc (who both came from Germany especially for this benefit). Unfortunately, I didn't hear much of them because there were just so many artists to discover that evening.

Unlisted Fanatic had prepared a set with Saimn I and Collieman which proved to be lyrical & musical pleasure! Both vocalists were in good shape, had prepared a sound system set to be proud of. The duo has clearly become well used to share the stage and their lyrics went back and forth tunes of Unlisted; just a shame there were so few people to witness such a memorable set! Unfortunately this set was also interrupted by Fitta Warri, who, once again, insisted on playing another set after having performed in the small room. Unlisted Fanatic was forced to quit right at the moment everyone really started enjoying his set. Regrettable, but musically speaking this was the only downside of the whole evening.

In the small room, Ionyouth had taken over and in the big room Black Pearl still had to perform, but by that time we had already gone home. I couldn't say much about the dancehall. When I passed through it, late at night, there weren't that many people there either, though Pirates Crew was clearly having a blast!

The absent where once again in the wrong! November 10th offered a choice of different dances and this benefit was overlooked by many people. It's unfortunate not more people chose this wonderful evening with its great line-up. Hopefully there will be a sequel…

Big up to Sky Fire crew!