weeks will be heading back home on Monday.

Biggie Irie and the Israelites have been the leading act at the Elbow Beach's Surf Club on Front Street and have had such a successful run they are hoping to return to the Island soon to play at other venues.

Band leader Geoffrey "Biggie Irie'' Cobble said: "Things have gone well here -- better than I thought especially since we don't play a lot of calypso at home and we have played a lot here.

"We would love to come back to Bermuda and do some gigs at some other clubs.'' But Biggie said the group, which has been staying at the Palm Reef Hotel, enjoyed their time at the Surf Club.

"We thought we were going to be playing in a dancehall, but it has been great,'' said Biggie. "We've tried to get people eating to get on the dance floor.'' The band has only been together three months and has already had rave reviews in Barbados, Grenada -- where they toured in May -- and now Bermuda.

Bass player Ryan Daisley said: "Bermuda is just like Barbados because I've felt at home here. That's the best compliment I could give a place.'' And guitarist Scott Galt said: "Bermuda is irie -- especially the friendliness and hospitality of the people.'' Surf Club music director Tony Brannon contacted Biggie Irie who he knew when Biggie was part of the group "Splashband''.

Biggie said: "We were happy to get away from Barbados, make some money and have some fun.'' But the group will be back to work when they return to Barbados as they are planning to record a vintage reggae album.

"Reggae is what we do best,'' said Biggie. "It is what we feel comfortable playing. Everybody in Barbados plays soca. We do our own thing. Once we are home we want to limit the number of gigs we do and concentrate on recording, rehearsing and touring.'' But the group, which aims to get signed by a major record label, is scheduled to play at Barbados' biggest nightclub, The Boatyard, when they get back.

Biggie Irie also has a solo album, with nine original songs, due to be released in late August after the Cropover Festival is over. He started his career with a group called Exodus, then sang with "Splashband'', toured with "Spice and Company'' and is now concentrating on making Biggie Irie and the Israelites number one.

Picture: Page 1