On his latest European Tour launch also christened 'FOS A PEYI LA TOUR 2007', the Guadelupian reggae/dancehall singer Admiral T decided to stop by the city of Bordeaux. And of course, the TJJ France Team was also in the place to cover this exceptional event that brought together at least 1,000 happy fans and Saturday night revellers, despite the dreadful weather. Can bad weather really prevent true 'West Indian's to de bone' from feting when it's time to break loose?? We wouldn't bother to answer that!!

All these people had clearly come to meet their grown-up island child and the least we can note is that they didn't leave the place deceived. "Yes, we're all very glad we could attend the show and we're looking forward to seeing Admiral T on stage, because he always knows how to surprise his audience," affirmed a group of cheerful friends as we walked through the audience to estimate the rising temperature, before anything had even begun.

Backstage, the atmosphere was quite different, and you could easily engage an interesting conversation and share a drink or two with the friendly Jamaican musicians invited for the occasion. Yes people, just a drink or two and before our conversation could finish, the big event had to get started! The place got overcrowded pretty quick whereas Maylan, the upcoming reggae singer from Reunion Island (Indian Ocean) was inaugurating the session backed by DJ Mic One at his plates. That was the first part of the show, like a spark before the entire place literally blazed up with overall frenzy on Admiral T's arrival. Only a few artists could brag about being able to perform their songs live even better than on their own albums, but Admiral T's song "Señorita" falls perfectly into that category. This sound wouldn't let you just stand by the bar... you gotta find a partner to control your swayin' hips! Other tunes like "Fos A Peyi La" also had everyone in one harmony, especially after Admiral T gave a small interlude spreading a message of love and unity for all the islands of the West Indies: Guadeloupe, Martinique, Jamaica, Barbados, Virgin Islands, Trinidad...

The show that would usually end at 11 p.m. went down until midnight by general demand of the yearning crowd. And when we thought we had seen almost everything too see, Admiral T suddenly ran down the stage with an incredible regain of energy, he then got unto the bar and continued performing - jumping and waving all over the place, which made the crowd even hyper. Some fans got on stage, lighters and hands went up, all the lyrics were on everyone's mouth: "Up inna di ghetto you gotta be proud, let me see your hands up..."

What more can I say? It's not like I wasn't warned. Admiral T's own conclusion to the entire show can be summed up into five words, ''See you again next year!!'' And we're pretty sure everybody in the place felt the same way.

[Read TJJ's Interview with Admiral T]

M. V. Malela
TJJ France Team