NAIROBI - Multi award winning Carribean reggae artist Sherwin Gardner headlined Recharge 2009 on Sun 30 August 2009 at the Nairobi Pentecoastal Church South, Karen. Also jetting in for the event was US-based urban gospel artist Damita Haddon (wife to grammy nominated gospel artist Deitrick Haddon) and Marvin Winans Jr, who was part of the famous gospel group Winans Phase 2 and is brother to R&B singer Mario Winans. Though not officially on the till, Jamaican gospel reggae powerhouse Chevelle Franklyn made an appearance at the event. She was enroute to Nigeria and had a stop over that weekend where she performed at Nairobi Lighthouse Church.

Recharge 2009 had a premiere show planned on Friday 28th August at Nairobi Baptist Church but was cancelled at the 11th hour despite a massive publicity campaign. However the Sunday show, this time at NPC Karen, did not disappoint though there was a 2-hour delay. GospoEpic DJs riQ, Mo and Sadic served up some fresh hits to kickstart the gig. There was a train of curtain raisers including Jimmy Gait, Kevoh Yut, Hey-Z, Maximum Melodies and Dafari.

Chevelle Franklyn right before the gig started

Power Radio's Njugush was first to the mic and ushered Jimmy Gait who did Muhadhara and Uratete. Next came Juliani who was the day's MC and helped to raise the energy level a notch higher. Maximum Melodies, fresh off their Rod and Fire conference then gave a dance-filled rendition of Shusha. Hey-Z crunked up the house with Born Again Soldier, Kevo Yut fused his deep ragga track with some dancers as Dafari completed the local artists set.

The moment most had waited for arrived when Juliani introduced Marvin Winans Jr. and when the R&B singer started with the line Niaje Wazeiya, an instant connection with the audience was established aiding his performance. He dropped songs like I'll do it (Believe), Put Your Love on Me, Come to Me and crowd favourite Never Let Me Down. Not to be outdone, Damita Haddon started with Bwana Asifiwe sending excitement around the hall. She performed No Looking Back, Don't Leave Me Lonely and He's Able before inviting a Kenyan choir that backed her on her worship set.

Marvin Winans Jnr and his wife

Anticipation and excitement was through the roof when Sherwin Gardner and his band took to the stage. They started with new jams from his upcoming album Borderless (download a new single he's giving away from his new album) as they transitioned into some well known joints like Hotta Redda Fire and My House. He then broke his set into a session of woship singing the ever popular I Worship You and I'm Desperate for You among other great songs. After a prayer, the energy quickly built as he closed out the session delivering high energy up tempo dancehall tracks.

Sherwin Gardner

Unfortunately, the venue did not fill up to capacity as expected. Infact, it barely reached half capacity and the abrupt cancellation of the Friday gig must have made people more sceptical of the Sunday gig. Nonetheless, those who attended more than got their money's worth. Sherwin moves on to Uganda where he's scheduled to perform while Chevelle Franklyn will be in Nigeria.

Check out the photo gallery for hundreds of fast loading pictures that will make you concepturelize the event in greater detail. We even captured Sherwin on the soundcheck! You can use your keyboard's arrow keys to scroll through the pictures faster.