POP MUSIC REVIEW : A Reggae Ride With Taxi Gang

The reggae package billed as the Taxi Gang didn’t exactly draw a big crowd at the Universal Amphitheatre on Sunday, but the show did offer big riddims--thanks to a band anchored by rhythm section extraordinaire Sly and Robbie--and the big, smooth pipes of featured vocalists Maxi Priest and Freddie McGregor.

A few minutes before show time, there were maybe a 100 folks in the amphitheater. But for the next hour or so lots of people (relatively speaking) straggled in, forming a cozy, appreciative little group close to the stage.

And to the Gang members’ credit, they responded in the best show-must-go-on tradition, turning in sharp, inspired performances as if they were facing a full house. The concert got under way with a largely instrumental portion, showcasing the prowess of bassist Robbie Shakespeare and drummer Sly Dunbar, as well as the three-piece horn section that often embroidered the loping, churning passages with bright, colorful solos.

Making his local debut, English singer Maxi Priest joined the fold, unleashing his kinetic stage presence and smooth, soulful vocal phrasing applied to more pop-oriented reggae. In fact, Priest demonstrated a knack for reinventing pop tunes on a fistful of cover renditions, most notably Cat Stevens’ “Wild World.”

Closing out the evening, veteran vocalist Freddie McGregor came through with some silky singing, too. But, unlike Priest, McGregor occasionally set aside the romantic fare to tackle more fiery political and protest-minded pieces, including one dedicated to Nelson Mandela.

For the most part, the show did a fine job of traveling the smoother, more accessible end of the reggae spectrum. It’s just too bad more people didn’t catch this Taxi ride.