Fire energy at ‘Heights of Fire’ listening party

One of the fiery moments of Capleton’s listening party for his Heights of Fire album at Janga’s Soundbar & Grill Sports Bar on Wednesday was the reaction when the selector dropped track No. 7, Babylon So Evil. It was a pull-up moment when the sounds of Dennis Brown’s voice on Love and Hate came through the speakers, followed by those of Capleton, Stephen Marley and Damion Marley. 
“Pull it up! Pull up! Pull Up!” the crowd demanded as hands flew up into the air even as shouts of appreciation rang out. 
Capleton laughed.
“When mi inna the studio with dem (Stephen and Damian) is always a blast … so bless dem up anywhere dem stand up right now pon di planet. And bless up D. Brown inna Zion ... yuh see mi,” Capleton said, as the selector dropped the big ‘chune’ one more time, and played all three minutes and 32 seconds.
On Wednesday, Capleton brought quiet, cleansing fire energy to the listening. Host for the evening, Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) chairman, Ewan Simpson, explained that it would not be a performance, but rather a reasoning session, interspersed with the playing of some tracks from the just-released album. The full house of media, industry people, tastemakers and a few of Capleton’s colleagues, such as Beenie Man and Harry Toddler, seemed okay with that. 
Sitting on a big sofa onstage, Capleton listened keenly to all that was being said about him by his manager, Jeffrey Stephenson; his producer and engineer, Michael ‘Mixing Finga’ Stewart – son of veteran singer Tinga Stewart – Clyde McKenzie; representatives from Evidence Music, producers of the album; and Simpson.
Stephenson shared that discipline is the hallmark of the artiste, whose career spans more than 30 years.
“Capleton never miss a show, and he always presents himself on time for his performances. Artistes need to understand that they are a brand and that they need to think more corporate as they navigate the music journey,” Stephenson said.
He added that Capleton is one of the most respectful artistes whom he has travelled with, and paused to mention his generosity.
“Capleton is a humanitarian, and we need to celebrate him for who he is,” Stephenson said of the entertainer whose charitable works include hosting the annual ‘A St Mary Mi Come From’ stage show, which has made donations to several institutions across the parish.
It was a night on which the ‘Fireman’ received his flowers, not only in words, but also in action through a presentation of the Living Legend Award by Midas Entertainment Agency.
Stefan Ebanks of Midas Entertainment noted that it was only fitting to honour Capleton in this manner. Capleton’s other half, Suzette Bennett, the woman credited for “fuelling the fire”, was called onstage to assist with the presentation, and she, too, spoke lovingly of the journey and encouraged fans to purchase the album.
Capleton told The Gleaner that he was “surprised and honoured” by the citation. 
“Give thanks to all fans and everyone for supporting my music. Finga brought the whole project together, and working with Evidence Music has been a smooth journey … bless up. It’s my first album in 16 years, and so we just want Heights of Fire to go global and carry the message that the fire is burning brighter … burning out corruption and negativity. But it is also important to remember seh that fire is a natural mystic force for the purification and preservation of souls,” Capleton told The Gleaner.
Never short of words, he added, “And the message it never change …  and we still affi uphold the standards of the icons and the pioneers, the people who pave the way, set the foundation, set the footprints on the sands of time and the ones who gone, we still affi mek dem proud.  And then yuh have the ones who coming so we have to set that positive mark.”
He shared that he was shocked and saddened at the death of Fantan Mojah, who made a “great contribution to the music ... and we will still sing his songs, and we know that he will never be forgotten”.
Earlier in the night, Capleton had requested a minute of silence to honour Fantan Mojah, who passed away on Tuesday while he was a patient at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
Capleton’s next engagement locally will be at Midas Entertainment’s Encore Live: Culture Rising at Plantation Cove on August 30. 
yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com