by John Sealy

TEVIN CAMPBELL, international recording R & B vocalist, had everyone hyped and asking for more. But as the patrons left the 491-seat Frank Collymore Hall, which was moderately full last Saturday, they were of one opinion: the diminutive child star, now 31 years old, had delivered.

The audience knew within seconds of Campbell's entry to the stage that he was going to be a class act; an excellent interpreter of lyrics. Supported by track and sometimes doing it a cappella style, Campbell drew listeners into his space. He made them part of his experience and wowed them with eyes that sparkled, a boyish grin and his general joie de vivre.

Texas-born Campbell, who was performing on Broadway in Hairspray as Seaweed for the last three years took the audience down memory lane with hits I am Ready, Tell Me What You Want Me Do, Back To The World, Shhh, Can We Talk; a cappella Brown Eyed Girl, and Tomorrow among others.

He even sang happy birthday to a member of the audience.

Campbell also surprised the audience when he said he was in Barbados when he was 11 years old and that "Bobbi Humphrey flautist who discovered me is from here. She was the reason why Quincy heard me and Prince heard me. She is the one that got me here. She brought me here when I was eleven, before I was a singer ...me and my mom I would never forget the white sand ....".

"So I am very happy to be performing here".

The event, billed as Tevin Campbell Live In Concert was produced by Timeless Barbados. Campbell was ably supported by artistes Ria Borman and Omar McQuilkin. They both made impressive statements that they were ready to move beyond these shores for the big times.

Borman, cut in the mould of r&b/jazz exponent, relished the moment with her growing fan base. She interacted with them as she did Erykha Badu's Tyrone and gave them a taste of her soon to be released original Get Rid of You. Borman flaunted her vocal talent with confidence and charm; sometimes conciliatory, other times defiant and passionate. Her treatment of I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston, To Love You More by Celine Dion, Bust Your Windows by Jasmine Sullivan and I Would Be by Leona Lewis spoke to her versatility and depth.

McQuilkin, possibly not known to many in the audience, won hearts with his stage personality doing originals Stick To One and Alive and Ne Yo's Mad.

Both acts were complemented by deejay Kirk Brown.

The curtain came down on the show with Ronnie Morris of Timeless calling on Campbell to do the standard Impossible Dream.