There's a feeling that stays with you after you have witnessed an event that has moved you and stirred your soul, much like the taste of something sweet that lingers on your tongue, making you want more. Such is the feeling I have now after having seen and heard Istan Black and the Sweets last Saturday night at the Beachland Ballroom. Upon first entering the room I could tell that the session was in full swing and the crowd was lively. The artist known as Survivalist had just left the stage previously after turning up the heat with his rapid-fire conscious lyrics and blessing the near capacity crowd. I arrived a bit too late to hear his set, but I would be treated to a return performance later in the night. The band onstage was pumping the riddims to the max and the room was rocking as frontman Istan Black called down the Spirit with such tunes as "Come Down Mr Babylon" and Get Up and Don't Stop" from his 2001 award winning release, "Fatal Struggle". The singers, known as "The Sweets" whom I refuse to call "backup", are aptly named. Ceco Selinas and Stacy Eustazia, laid on the harmonies rich and sweet, as Istan, in a trance-like state, captivated the crowd with his message of Love and Inity. There was a camera crew there from "Yaadbeat Productions" capturing everything on videotape to be shown later on a cable program back in Jamaica. They will surely see how we do it inna Cleveland!

There were many times during the night when chills ran up my spine and made my skin break out in goosebumps as I danced non-stop to the churning riddims. Most of the songs were original, such as the standout, "Mind Is On Africa" but there were some excellent covers as well, like the surprising rendition of Bob Marley's "Why Should I" and one of my favorites, "Who The Cap Fit". Much respect must be given to the players of instruments as well, two of whom are members of my own band; Will Douglas on drums and Peter Platten on the keyboards. They kept things bubblin', laying the groundwork on which the vocalists could work their magic. Istan kept the audience involved, continuously calling out to us to "raise up your hands" and 'let me know how you feel". We let him know we were feeling Irie indeed! He made it a point to big up fellow musicians in the house, yours truly included, and came down from the stage to mingle with his appreciative fans. "One Family!" is his rallying cry, and that night we truly were together as one family, united in the Spirit of Love. At one point, Istan called out to Survivalist to come forward and bless the people again, which he did in no uncertain terms.

Survivalist is a young artist from Jamaica that rivals internationally known singers such as Luciano, Sizzla, and Anthony B. His new CD, "Beginning Without End" should gain just as much recognition, if things work the way they should, and could very well breathe new life into our reggae community in Cleveland. Songs like "Break The Silence" and "What Them Try Prove" are relevant and revolutionary in the truest sense of what reggae music is, and speak to the truth of our existence in these times.