Raw emotion! Mighty Diamonds deliver a major show in their first São Paulo performance!

Talking about Mighty Diamonds is easy. One of the most important trios in reggae history hardly needs any introduction, but seeing them live? Believe me, no matter how much you know or try to imagine, you will never be prepared for such an experience. Seeing these "diamonds" live is a guarantee of getting goosebumps from head to toe. This trio's body of work is of extreme relevance, and we can confirm it as the performance unfolds. It's classic after classic. Organized by You & Me on a Jamboree in partnership with Riddim Agency, the Fabrique venue in Barra Funda drew a good crowd, who arrived early for the warm-up fueled by a soundsystem led by DJ Jurássico. Around 1:00 a.m., the stage was taken over by the powerful sound of Leões de Israel, chosen to be the backing band for the Jamaican trio. By the way, Leões — for some time now — have shown a sound standard of the highest level, owing nothing to the great Jamaican bands in history. They performed a very heavy introduction of their own, and then the famous medley with the greatest classics of Mighty Diamonds, a sample of the special performance that was to come. Before the trio's entrance, the host revealed that this show was in tribute to Bunny Simpson, who suffered a stroke and, due to the aftermath, is in recovery. Capo was responsible for completing the beautiful vocal harmony of Tabby and Judge.

THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS

And then came the time to face the "mighty diamonds" of Jamaica, and to start, "Party Time"! Nothing more suggestive, right? The party had truly begun! Then "Wise Son" and the wonderful "All I Have is Love" stirred the choruses among fans ecstatic at what they were witnessing. There was no rest — classics like "Juvenile Child", "Natural Natty", "Right Time", "Have Mercy" and "I Need a Roof" hit the ears as if saying: "Hey, you're watching one of the greatest bands in reggae history!". It's a rich body of work! "Africa", the heavy "4000 Years" and "Declaration of Rights" preceded a blend of "Heavy Load" and "Bodyguard", before closing with one of the greatest tunes of their career and of reggae itself: "Pass the Kutchie". Some doubted how the band would react to the passage of time. Tabby showed with every high note that everything was in perfect order, both in voice and in willingness to dance and interact with the audience. The trio left the stage only to return shortly after for a respectable encore. "Heads of Government", "Reggae Street", the beautiful "Shame and Pride", "Poor Marcus" and "Gates of Zion". Ovated with great energy, the trio soon left the venue straight for the airport. The next stop is today, the 21st, in Teresina, where they are awaited with great anticipation. Sunday, the 22nd, Mighty Diamonds return to São Paulo to close their brief passage through Brazil at Grito Cultural Reggae, a free event in São Miguel. Not to be missed.