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June 28th marked the official release of {{Stitchie}}'s Real Power in Kingston Jamaica. This is the first Christian project from the veteran Reggae artist, and certainly a major event in presenting the Gospel in Jamaica.

Hosted by Lion of Zion Entertainment, the release party was held at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in downtown Kingston. All of the media were in attendance as were some reggae icons such as {{Papa San}}, Carlene Davis, and Tommy Cowan. One of the distinguished attendees was Jamaica's minister of tourism, Portia Simpson Miller, who gave the keynote address and handled the official unveiling of the new album. In addition to all of the great speakers who lavished Stitchie with praise, there was also a video biography, tracing the evolution of his career from his first hit single "Natty Dread" to this latest project, "Real Power."

One of the highlights of the evening was a demonstration of the enhanced portion of the CD. Projecting onto a large screen, Lion of Zion vice president, Scott Whelan introduced this great companion to the music, "clicking" through each section of the enhancement.

As label president Mark Mohr narrated, the audience saw the video, bio/artist info, photos, scrolling lyrics in both Patois and English, and all the versions of the Bible that are found on this CD. The attendees were presented with 5 versions of the Bible with word search, helps, and a concordance all on this one CD that is already packed with music. They seemed especially encouraged by the spiritual aspects of the CD and its "How to get to Heaven" section.

The climax of the event was when Stitchie finally took up the mic and laid down some "Real Power!" Supported by his tight backing band, the reggae/dancehall legend voiced a few songs from his new album. In "War" he challenged the audience with a solution to Capelton's "More Fire" (which has resulted in the burning down of churches throughout the island). Stitchie said "We don't need 'more fire', we need more prayer and Holy Ghost Fire!" while the two hundred in attendance applauded in agreement.

"One of the most memorable times of the trip was a few days after the release party when I witnessed {{Stitchie}} give a dynamic performance in front of thousands at the Prison Oval in Spanish town," said Mohr. "It was incredible! The songs from the ==Real Power== album are so popular on Jamaican radio that everyone in the audience knew the lyrics and sang along as they jumped up and down waving their rags in the air! The warm embrace that Jamaica is giving this veteran artist's new album will set the pace for the success of "Real Power" throughout the rest of world."

by Scott A. Shuford for the Music Channel at Crosswalk.com