Selector Jigsy. - File photos

'Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Bembe!' - a line from the popular 'Bembe' song done by Voicemail on Big Ship Productions' Party Time rhythm.

Years ago, when Bembe Thursdays was introduced to Kingston nightlife, it was known as the hot weekly party held at Weekenz on Constant Spring Road. It had gained a large following but almost two years later was non-existent.

Now, years later, Bembe Thursdays - The Rebirth kicked off at its new Escape 24/7 venue in New Kingston last Thursday night.

Speaking with The STAR about the rebirth of the event, one of the promoters who identified himself only as Kevin said: "Bembe has always had a unique concept. Ever since its inception, the response to it was good and people have always been asking for it to come back, so we did some research and found out what the ups and downs of the original Bembe Thursdays were."

Now, they have adjusted the downs to try and improve on the Bembe Thursdays experience.

According to Kevin, the kick-off of the weekly party enjoyed a good turnout as even after 4 a.m. patrons were still up and about in the venue. Much of the support, he said, came from college students.

He also believes that old Bembe fans will receive its return well.

The original Bembe Thursdays was started in late 2006 by a group of selectors who at the time went by the name 'the Bembe Squad' and consisted of Richie Feelings, Razz and Biggy, Tony Matterhorn, Jigsy, Penny Bling, and Rolexx.

selectors line up

None of these selectors was present at Thursday's staging nor have they been approached to play at Bembe Thursdays, but Kevin said that that does not mean they do not have a spot within the line-up of selectors.

"Anything is a possibility. We haven't had them yet or spoken to any of them, but we're not closing the doors to anything. We're gonna take selectors from all over the place. It's not just going to be the same selectors over and over again," he said.

Kingston All Stars had the task of setting the musical ambience at the recent kick-off party.

Member of the then Bembe Squad, Jigsy, told TheSTAR that he had heard of the rebirth but had not been contacted to play at the event.

"Him affi definitely get to wi because at the end of the day, we a the master of ceremony when it come to Bembe. Mi neva waan Bembe just dead suh cause it was a good ting. Look pon it, Bembe deh all bout now, it gone all over the world. Bembe deh Florida, Australia, it did deh Japan, all bout."

He, however, lauded the organisers for Bembe's return saying: "Well a sumting good dem a do. At least somebody deh deh weh a uplift back di ting. We nah fight against the thing wi a deal wid unity."

Raz (left) and Biggy, who were part of the original Bembe Squad, playing at one of the earlier Bembe Thursdays events.