Ziggy Marley: Forward to Love Tour (Club Nokia Recap)

Lover of ...

Jamaica, notably the birthplace of Reggae music was recreated Saturday, December 17, 2011, LA style, with performances by LA's own Quinto Sol, and headliner Ziggy Marley. Quinto Sol, a Spanish reggae band held the early attendee's attention with music that infused Caribbean and African sounds.

A legend through bloodline Ziggy Marley's style of music resonates with so many people not even the drops of LA rain and frigid air could keep fans away. Marley's, Forward To Love Tour, coincides with his current album, Wild and Free, a Grammy nominated album that includes special guest from Heavy D, to Woody Harrelson. The stage was simple, and effective with a backdrop of a red heart superimposed over yellow, black, and green colors honoring the Jamaica flag. Marley opened the show with the commanding track "Personal Revolution," which lead the way to a night fulfilled with dancing, singing, and all around good vibes.

In between moments of "incense" burning and hand waving, Marley went back and forth performing new and old tracks such as, " Be Free ," " Beach in Hawaii ," " DragonFly ," and " Black Cat " from his 2006 album, Love Is My Religion ;" then returned to favorites from his current album including, " Welcome to the World ," " Reggae In My Head ," and " Forward to Love ." The concept of love was a recurring theme throughout the night as it took on many shapes from loving self, to loving others as well. Before entering the club, attendees had a chance to express their love for community by donating a new or used book to U.R.G.E ., a non-profit founded by Ziggy Marley.

No matter the discography of songs Marley was pulling from the crowd kept a smile on their face, and their feet moving, especially to the songs originally done by his father Bob Marley, including "Is this Love." Marley's music represents no barriers, and fun times, which was made evident when attendees started dancing with the noted hard-nosed pit guards, and successfully bartering ways to get closer to the stage. Marley ended his set with "Wild and Free," and left the stage in a low-key fashion, while some in the crowd had their eyes close, head back, and fingers snapping, not realizing the show was over. Luckily for them Marley returned for an extended encore, which included another Bob Marley track, "I Shot the Sheriff," that was performed with special guest Ben Harper.

If you were a lover of…music.

If you were a lover of… dance.

You left fulfilled.