The big question patrons asked each other as they left the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain following the "I Am Legend II" concert was when would these three stellar artistes they had just enjoyed return?

Jamaican dancehall acts Wayne Wonder, Buju Banton and Shabba Ranks delivered outstanding performances that seemed to please all of the 5,000-plus people who came out for the show.

Making his much-anticipated return to a local stage after a decade-long absence was Shabba, who did not disappoint the people as he offered a performance akin to what he was known for back in his heyday.

Shabba, whose real name is Rexton Gordon, took the stage immediately after Buju exited the stage following a much-appreciated performance. Buju's Shiloh Band backed Shabba, who was accompanied by several persons waving Jamaican flags and bearing banners with his image.

Opening with "Peenie Peenie", Shabba spent the next hour and more hyping the crowd with his hits through the years, instructing the people to shout "Hits" after every song, which they willingly did.

During his set, Shabba performed, among others, "Ah Mi Shabba", "Caan Dun", "Heart of a Lion" and "Respect". He was also joined center stage by the Shiloh backing vocalists to perform "Telephone Lover", "Mr Loverman", "Twice My Age", "Pirates" and "Housecall". Before his final exit at 3.42 a.m., Shabba also thrilled the patrons with "Trailer Load A Girls", "Ting A Ling", "Gyal Yuh Good", "Roots and Culture".

And to end what was a truly fantastic performance, Shabba gave the people a big surprise. Taking the stage to do a little flexout with Shabba was the queen of the soca dancehall, Denise "Saucy Wow" Belfon, who, to the music of her "Panic", challenged Shabba to wine down low with her, which he did with great pleasure and much ease, sending the crowd wild as they cheered him on.

Earlier, Buju had delivered what can be described as a spiritually charged presentation that saw him commanding the stage for more than an hour and a half. Taking time to converse with his audience, Buju preached to the youth, calling on them to stop destroying themselves through crime and violence.

Buju admonished the people to stop allowing the wealthy and the Government to oppress them, calling on them to rise and claim what is rightfully theirs. Before singing "I Rise" from his new CD collection, Rasta Got Soul, Buju said his music is now being suppressed by the powers-that-be across the region and the United States. He said this will, however, not keep him from prospering and completing his mission.

Buju's repertoire included songs such as "I Wanna Be Loved", "Destiny", "Untold Stories", "Hills and Valleys", "Not An Easy Road", and snippets of "Batty Rider", "Willie" and "Deportee". Wayne Wonder then joined Buju to perform "Bonafide Love" "Heal the World" and "Forever Young".

Wayne Wonder himself delivered a well-received performance, in which he sang "Here and Now", "No Letting Go", "Gonna Love You", "Bounce Along" and more.

Opening the show were several local acts, including Peter C Lewis and D Orchestra, Ziggy Rankin and Supachile.

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