POP MUSIC REVIEW : Shabba Ranks at ‘Reggae Splash’

The Olympic Velodrome in Carson was transformed into an outdoor temple of reggae worship on Sunday for “California Reggae Splash,” nine hours of booming bass lines and syncopated drumming that had the dreadlocked crowd gyrating in a festive, party atmosphere. Booths around the perimeter sold reggae-related paraphernalia, from Bob Marley and Peter Tosh T-shirts to posters and incense to CDs, cassettes and videos.

The main attraction was Shabba Ranks, and when the Grammy-winning performer finally took the stage the entire audience came to its feet for the first time. Ranks, who grew up in the Trenchtown section of Kingston, put on a physical show, stalking the stage and pumping the crowd into a frenzy with pelvic gyrations that would have made Elvis blush.

The man who sings a paean to women called “Original Woman” on one of his albums was definitely in a different mode, simulating sex with two scantily clad female dancers as he sang with a husky rasp--more Bobby Brown than Bob Marley.

Other highlights included Yellowman, the biggest toaster of the ‘80s, who delivered an energetic, entertaining performance early in the afternoon. Captain Barket and Wickerman offered up aggressive, rap-style deliveries full of sexual bravado. John Holt played a set of roots reggae, almost crooning some of his songs, which included hits from the ‘60s as well as reggae numbers.