BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CONGRATULATIONS are certainly in order for popular national singer, song writer and musician 23-year-old Charles Emanuel who last night (Oct. 10) delivered an electrifying and memorable performance at 'A Night in Paradise' staged at Ma Pau on Port Zante.
The mini concert-type affair, organised by the upcoming artiste with assistance of Island Xpressions, was staged in an effort to raise funds for a popular song called ‘Paradise’, which is off his six-track mixtape ‘Invincible’.
For over two hours, Charles Emanuel belted out songs off his mixtape and renditions of other well-known Reggae, R&B and Pop songs, which created a feel-good and soul entertainment atmosphere.
He was backed by the Limitless LP Band and his performance was complemented with backup singers in the persons of Paige Thomas, Tara Brady and Delrose Wilkinson for some of the selections.
Fittingly, Charlie, as he is fondly called, opened his show singing 'Paradise' which gave a soulful start and spotlighted his goose bump-giving high notes and heartfelt craft as an artiste on the rise, and also showed why a music video is needed to complement such self-penned masterpiece.
Other song dished out off his mixtape were ‘Without U’, ‘Better Days’, ‘One Night Wine’, ‘Start Anew’ and the title track as well as songs like ‘Sweet Lies’ by Beres Hammond and ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low' by Bob Marley, ‘This is How We Do It’ by Montell Jordan, Pretty Wings’ by Maxwell, ‘Stay’ by Rihanna and ‘Blurred Lines’ by Robin Thicke.
Well-known national songstress Makeila ‘MiMi’ Armstrong was unable to attend the event. So when Charles Emanuel did their duet piece called ‘Speechless’, some members of the audience made good on chiming in...filling in for MiMi, which Charlie obviously appreciated.
If the thunderous applause and cheers from the impressive audience could be converted into money, then Charles Emanuel would have more than enough to materialise his music video plans.
'A Night In Paradise' ended on a spectacular note as the artiste belted out his 'Invincible' song with a Zouk remix.
In his introduction of the song, Charles Emanuel declared that such was "dedicated to the people who always told me no. But I'm here putting on my show".
Immediately after the show, SKNVibes interacted with some of the patrons to get a take on their impression of 'A Night in Paradise'.
Kerissa Willett
"It was freaking awesome man!"
Omandey Bryan
"It was fantastic! I've known him for a long time and it's good to see him pushing himself, and I commend him for that. He is a good friend and I want him to reach further. I'm glad for. Him; it was a good night!"
Jemina Rouse
"It was really awesome. I really enjoyed it! I think if he stays focused he'll reach far."
Irvin Welch
"I think the performance was exceptional. It left nothing else to be desired."
John Francis
"I think it's wonderful to see St. Kitts' new talent for a New Year breaking out and breaking out on their energy. It was so interesting to see he has followers and fans that can cheer and appreciate. I hope he continues to grow. Men with high notes work. Men who can sing soprano are appealing commercially. They appeal to men, women and children. It is deep in the Arabic and African culture...very commercial."
Charlie's mother, Francine Miller proudly stated: "My son was excellent. I think he did a wonderful job!"
Miller shared that she being an American, Charlie grew up around a lot of Rhythm and Blues, noting that she did not play a lot of Caribbean music.
Notably, she was a singer back in the 70s and 80s in the United States and sang mostly in night clubs performing musical genres of R&B, Blues and Funk.
Miller said Charlie has been singing since age three and that as a mother she always “tried to give him that confidence”, pointing to her push for his exposure in Kittitian Superstar.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Charles Emanuel declared that "the turnout was better than I expected".
Additionally, he was pleasantly surprised at the crowd’s reception as they sang along to his songs.
The founder of Island Xpressions, Samal Duggins, in addressing the audience at the end of the show, spoke highly on how he assessed, noting that it was “an excellent rendition of original music”.
He appealed to fans and music lovers as well as other supporters of Charles Emanuel’s music to contribute further in helping to secure finances to make the music video production a reality.
Charles Emanuel, during his performance, thanked his fans and music lovers “from the bottom of my heart for supporting me”.
