Rock N Soul offers lovers good time

Those who know selector Richie Poo will quickly brand him as a hardcore dancehall disc jockey, being part of Silver Hawk Sound, a sound system that is known for ‘clashing’. In changing that view, Richie Poo says he wanted to host an event where persons not only embraced soul music, but also embraced each other.

“As a selector, I realise most of the singers of the soul genre don’t really get played often. Next to lovers’ rock songs, I see where it eliminates a lot of negativity in parties,” Richie Poo told THE STAR.

Out of this idea, Rock N Soul was born. An event that for its first staging last year, attracted a mature crowd. But the ‘90s millennials also represented well.

“It wasn’t jam-packed, but those who were there had fun. People came out to show support and were wowed. It was even more refreshing to see persons adapt to the mellow environment, and a lot of youngsters surprised themselves that they could sing half the old-school tunes.”

This year’s renewal of Rock N Soul will take place on Saturday at the Footprints Café on Belmont Road in Kingston.

“I want people to see there is a soulful side to the original Richie Poo, who will be joined by Krazy Kris to host and entertain,” the veteran selector said.

Richie Poo has been selecting music for 37 years, and is a member of Silver Hawk Sound for almost 28 of those years.

“Back in my early time as a selector, the singers got their fair share when it came to music, and now it varies. But there is a lot of soul music or what people call ‘love songs’, that the steppers of the dance can move to. And more than aggressively dancing with a woman, just embrace her and move to the beat,” he said.

Richie Poo, who is also promoter of Rock N Soul, said this Saturday’s event will provide persons with a great opportunity to get intimate on the dance floor.

“A man who normally party with his (male) friends, a party of this nature can have a better vibes,” he said.