Speaking of poles, I had a great time at the Silk/Shai show at the Ambassador on Sunday night – but it had as much to do with this retired male exotic dancer in the crowd as it did with anything being served on stage. He still had pectoral and bicep remnants from his former profession, but his abs were still back in 1992. But that didn’t stop him from serving the shoulder rolls, slow winds and head to toe body hunches of a Body Blast All Star Hall of Fame performer. When he moved his body like a snake to the restroom and back – offering complimentary hunch samples to unsuspecting ladies along the way – I could barely focus. But I know y’all want to hear about what Silk and Shai was serving, so I guess I’ll get on with that. I was impressed with both groups. I didn’t know what to expect from Shai, considering they were dressed like they had stopped by the Ambassador to use the ATM and just walked on stage for the you know what of it. But even in his street clothes, Garfield was still fine as all get out. And though half of the group was stranger dangers, their harmony was so tight I was wantin’ Boyz II Men to pop up for an old fashion sing off. Now I can’t say that I connected with them singing the Eastside High School Song (yes, the one from “Lean on Me”…and no I’m not joking), but they really served.
Silk came dressed for a comeback. Those striped vest Sunday School ensembles and white tees were life! And it must have been a while since Lil G had been freaked down, because this one fan should have been arrested for lewd acts the way she was grabbing towards his man business…and he never missed a note. I considered their performance a triumph until they closed out the show with “Freak Me” in a manner so mannish that it made me uncomfortable. Don’t get me wrong, I knew from the title of the song that they weren’t going to be serving me a gospel quintet, but I can’t even really go into detail because it wasn’t safe for Partyline. And when the one Silk…well…let’s just say created a party in his pants on top of his church slacks, I had to make my way to the exit. I still had a great time, though I just could have done without the last sip.