Steel Pulse Delivers the Perfect Show
By Sharon Gordon
July 1st, celebrated around the world as International Reggae Day, is a most fitting of
days for a free reggae concert in the park and as fate would have it, that was the day
chosen by Celebrate Brooklyn for roots reggae icon Steel Pulse to perform a free concert
at Prospect Park's Band Shell in Brooklyn. With lines beginning to form as early as 3pm
for a concert scheduled to begin at 7:30pm, one could tell it was going to be a nice
vibe. With a steady stream of fans turning over the suggested $3 donation at the gate,
the Band Shell quickly filled to capacity once the gates opened at around 6:30PM. No
worries; folks spread their blankets or stood under trees and before you knew it, there
were more people outside the band shell than there were inside. As far as the eyes could
see, there were people: adults, children, babies, old folks, disabled folks, white
folks,black folks, Asians, dreadlocks,Rastafarians, you name it they were in Prospect
Park forSteel Pulse.
"This is further evidence that people are thirsty and hungry for roots
reggae music and its message of hope," says noted journalist and CPRLive London
correspondent, Pablo Assab; and roots reggae music they got. Steel Pulse did not
disappoint the thousands who were "Steppin' Out!" Lead singer and front man, David Hinds
sounded as crisp as he did twenty plus years ago as he delved into their rich repertoire
unleashing classics, like "Rally Round," "Roller Skates," "Leggo Beast," "Steppin Out,"
"Chant a Pslam," the romantic "Your House" and many more. There was continuous cheers and
applause from the audience as they sang along word for word. David took time out of the
set to recognize the 30th anniversary of the passing of reggae icon, Bob Marley and the
group paid tribute in song with a splendid rendition of Natty Dread. According to one
patron, "This was the perfect show! Steel Pulse came and delivered classic Steel Pulse
music to the fans!" For many, this was a night they will not soon forget.
