for an impressive performance from New Jersey based R&B group The Fugees.

It was a show that will be remembered more for the gregarious methods the group has adopted than the actual singing because hungry fans lapped up the opportunity to get close whenever the chance arose.

The Fugees who were the winners at the recent MTV Video Awards ceremony in New York City where their song "Killing Me Softly'' won in the best R&B video category, were keen to "get a feel'' of the people who obliged them by clamouring onto the stage.

Their soaring popularity has come with a price as lead singer Lauryn Hill's voice bears all the tell-tale signs of overuse.

Still she worked hard not to disappoint her loyal fans and agreed to sing acappella the religious tune "His eye is on the sparrow.'' The concert began promptly with local group A Piece of the Rock who mixed several well known soca and reggae hits including Nigel Lewis' "Moving to the left'' into their 45-minute set.

They were never able to get more than a lukewarm reception from the crowd who were intent on seeing the headliners and no one else.

Jamaican Stone Love had more success among the dance hall lovers with a series of popular dub plates from artists such as Sanchez, Bounty Killa, Luciano and Buju Banton.

Add to that some entertaining forays into the world of dance from selector G-Force and the beginnings of the crescendo were laid in place.

By the time the first of the Fugees trinity, Wyclef "Clef'' Jean, bounded onto the stage around 11.20 p.m. the groundwork had been set.

Clef, the son of a pastor, showed off some of his awesome dexterity when he played the Black National Anthem "Lift Every Voice And Sing'' on the guitar and the Bob Marley classic "No Woman No Cry.'' And as the other two thirds of the group -- Hill of Sister Act II fame who is also an Ivy Leaguer at Columbia University and his cousin Prakzarel "Pras'' Michael -- graced the stage the explosion was carried to its inevitable conclusion.

The Fugess then displayed their free styling ability when the reeled off lyrics in Spanish, French and even Japanese.

This event injected a little humour because it was clearly unexpected.

Not far into their performance, Hill reached deep and coaxed her overworked voice to bring out the group's monster hit "Killing Me Softly'' a remake of Roberta Flack's original song.

That event ushered in a rousing response from the crowd which was equaled when they sang their other hit "Ready Or Not.'' Bermuda's R&B fans were fortunate that Choy Aming Productions was able to secure the Fugees at this juncture when their star is still on its ascent.

Their schedule which has been booked solid this entire year and sees them travel to Puerto Rico, Barbados and Trinidad over the next few days underscores their immense popularity.

However on balance The Fugees performed an upbeat and vigorous show on Thursday night much to the delight of their many fans that included a sizable group of young children.

JOHN BURCHALL REVIEW REV