Miami, FL – In the shadows of the downtown Miami and alongside the iconic Port of Miami, Watson Island houses, among other points of interest, Jungle Island. Jungle Island is a wildlife attraction, relocated from South Miami some years ago to the edge of Biscayne Bay and just down the road from South Beach. The first big Freestyle music show of the year takes place on February 18, 2023 at what the promoter, Charlie Rodriguez Live Entertainment, calls Freestyle Island, at least for one night.
Freestyle music, with it’s origins in the mid to late 80’s, has incredible staying power. Artists from that era are performing for throngs of fans still today. For most, the evening is more akin to a high school reunion as they are taken back to those memories when Freestyle was in its prime. This show appears to be a great success as 1400+ fans are in attendance, the last of which, are fortunate to be there as the venue added additional rows of seating as late as this past week in order to respond to the demand. The classic ballroom environment quickly feels like the traditional 80’s dance club as fans arrive and DJ Jorge Santana, a staple for Freestyle concerts in South Florida and beyond, entertains the crowd pre-show and in-between acts.
Tonight’s lineup includes a who’s who of Freestyle and Disco music, but starts off wit with Nu-Flavor, an R&B quartet from Long Beach, California. While not Freestyle or Disco, Nu-Flavor does manage to get the show going, especially while performing their 1997 highest charting song, “Heaven“.
Miami’s own Promise Circle, who hasn’t performed in decades, follows Nu-Flavor. Promise Circle primes the pump, so to speak, playing only one song, “Be Mine Tonight”. The one song is a classic on the Freestyle music scene of the late 80’s in the South Florida and New York markets, among many others. Promise Circle receives a very warm welcome from the crowd, which is completely on their feet, dancing the night away as they perform. The remainder of the lineup includes Reinaldo, Nyasia, Noel, Coro, Lime, France Joli and George Lamond.
Reinaldo graces the stage next. The recent New York transplant, who now calls Naples, FL his home, proceeds to perform his two hits “My Sweet Love” and “Another Night” in addition to a his recorded version of the Pet Shop Boys’, “It’s a Sin”, flanked by two lovely dancers.
Nyasia continues to raise the proverbial bar musically as she opens her set with her chart topping crossover hit, “Who’s Got Your Love“. Nyasia is backed by bass player Richard Cruz and drummer Alberto Nieves of Freestyle 101. Nyasia wraps up her sit performing “I’m the One” and her debut hit “Now and Forever“.
Noel follows Nyasia in the lineup, opening his set with his 1988 Billboard Dance/Club Play topping hit, “Like a Child“. A native New Yorker and staple on the Freestyle scene, Noel takes some time to pay tribute to Freestyle music pioneers, The Latin Rascals, by singing their classic song, “Arabian Nights” a capella and having fans join in on the chorus. He follows this up by telling the crowd that the New York Freestyle fans have nothing on the South Florida fans, which of course, generated a huge response from the audience. Noel wraps his set up with the Tony Moran collaboration, “The Question” and his Billboard Dance top 10 hit, “Silent Morning“.
The show has a brief intermission to allow fans to stretch, walk around, get some snacks and more importantly, dump tons of money at the bars. As the show ramps back up, Coro takes the stage. The New York born, Florida raised, now New York Transplant is a crowd favorite. Coro starts his set with an a capella sing along with audience participation and then delivers a fantastic set that includes “Where Are You Tonight“, “My Fallen Angel“, “Stand By Your Lover” and “Can’t Let You Go“. Flanked by his dancer, Kys Clark, Coro proceeds to raise the bar on energy and sets the pace for the night’s remaining acts.
The night is rockin’ and arguably one of the most anticipated performers, Lime, is next to perform. Lime, a hi-energy/dance music duo, delivers! Joy Dorris and Rob Hubertz whip fans into a frenzy opening their set with their top 10 hit, “Babe We’re Going to Love Tonight“. The remainder of the set includes several charting hits including, “Angel Eyes” which peaked at number 12 on the dance charts, “Unexpected Lovers“, “Come and Get Your Love“, and their number 1 debut release in 1981, “Your Love“. At the end of their set, Charlie Rodriguez presents Lime with an award commemorating 40 years of Lime music.
The next performer is a little change of pace from Freestyle music, but a legend in her own right, Canadian born disco diva, France Joli. She opens her set with “Gonna Get Over You” followed by a fantastic medley of disco/pop hits from the 70’s and 80s. She proceed to perform “The Heart To Break a Heart” before wrapping up her set with her number 1 single, “Come To Me“, which was recorded when she was 16 years old. France’s delivery is pristine. The vocals during this show are as powerful as the day they were recorded.
The evening culminates with a performance by George Lamond. His set includes hit after hit with his opener “Without You“, “Bad of the Heart“, “Where Does That Leave Love” and “Look Into My Eyes“. The US born, Puerto Rico raised and former Bronx resident, shares that he has recently relocated to Tampa, Fl and receives a great response from fans.
The show, by all accounts is a huge success. Fans experience a trip back in time, a full venue and sold out show ensures that both the promoters and venue owners are fat and happy. Based on the success of this first Freestyle Island event, it is no surprise that a follow up Freestyle Island concert is announced for August of 2023 featuring several other Freestyle legends and maybe some other surprises.
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Show Date: February 18, 2023
