Bermuda "Let's Jam'' with Krosfyah, Saturday, June 21 The nearly-full moon illuminated the white sands of Clearwater beach, reflecting onto the ecstatic faces of music-lovers bathed in starlight.

The smell of curried chicken and ocean breeze permeated the air like a heady perfume as the crowd surged to one rhythm.

And throughout the entire experience, a single phrase reverberated through my mind -- Caribbean music so sweet! More than 2,500 fans turned out for Saturday night's show in St. David's. And despite the abundance of big-name artists that habitually grace the Bermudian concert scene, Barbadian music sensation Krosfyah managed to almost single-handedly pull off one of the best soca shows of the year.

The evening began with the Warner gombeys adding local flavour and a family atmosphere to the evening. Local act Legacy opened the show with favourites "If Jah Is Standing By My Side'' and "96 Degrees In The Shade''.

Comedian Mac Fingall warmed up the crowd with his combination of comedy and straight soca. Mac Fingall worked side-by-side with Red Plastic Bag, providing a sharp contrast to the ever-cool performer.

At one point during their performance, Mac Fingall and Red Plastic Bag split the crowd down the centre and worked the audience with a call-and-response participation pattern during Red Plastic Bag's hit song "Ragga Ragga''. Their portion of the show ended with the crowd jumping and flashing strobe-lights.

Despite dark clouds that obscured the moon during the early parts of the show, Krosfyah opened with the benefit of a flawless Bermuda night sky.

And although the impressive array of talent showcased by each member of the band makes it difficult to isolate any one performer, lead singer and songwriter Edwin Yearwood's charismatic stage presence definitely made the show.

In addition to their hit songs "Pump Me Up'', "Sweatin'', and "Crank It'', the group performed a medley of this year's dancehall reggae favourites.

The incredible versatility of the group was obvious throughout their performance.

Although the band is known primarily for their talents in the soca, reggae, and calypso arena, they treated the crowd to everything from an upbeat version "When The Saints Go Marching In'', to a sensuous rendition of Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me''.

At one point during the show, Yearwood challenged guitarist Tony (Rebel) Bailey to exhibit his range of talent.

The Rebel rose to the occasion, and played short clips of Haitian zouk, Japanese music, and a tongue-in-cheek original entitled "The Bermuda Blues''.

After an hour and a half of high-energy performance, Krosfyah delivered a frenetic finale of soca hits including "Show Me A Peace Sign'' and "Big Truck''.

What struck me perhaps most strongly about the group was the almost tangible feeling of joy that their music seems to evoke. Even the most sour-faced locals could be seen at Saturday night's show with huge grins plastered all over their faces.

A member of the audience, soca-fan extraordinaire Walter Jackson, said, "I love soca music, so anyone who does a good job singing soca is fine. But I've heard Krosfyah at Trinidad Carnival, and they are one of the best!'' Treble Clef Productions is to be commended for putting on an excellent show and introducing the group's unique flavour to the Island.

As organiser Dionne Nelson rightly pointed out, many local fans have been jammin' to Krosfyah's music without being aware of the group. Hopefully the success of this year's show will ensure an encore performance next summer.

---- Kim Dismont Robinson MUSIC REVIEW REV