Reggae star Scientist played a spellbinding set at the Jazz Café - taking the opportunity to deliver an important message.
It may not be a music genre associated with Halloween, but for punters at the Parkway venue on October 31, the enigmatic recording engineer and producer was a welcome spirit guide.
That said, the man himself was an odd presence among a celebratory crowd, wedged to the back of the main hall while the bands took centre stage.
First on was Upper Cut and its energetic frontman King Lorenzo, who warmed up the room with emphatic dance moves.
Known for tracks Trading Blows and My Time, Upper Cut brought the Camden venue to life on a windswept night with a series of high-octane tunes, masterfully mixed by the modestly tucked away Scientist, who reportedly got his name in a conversation between fellow producers Bunny Lee and King Tubby.
"Damn, this little boy must be a Scientist," was Lee's comment when he was just a lad, albeit with a growing reputation for technical prowess.
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As the night went on and more reggae classics, including Work All Day by Barry Biggs and The Herb by Tony Rebel were aired, the evening took a more serious turn.
After the rousing finish to Upper Cut's set, which thrilled the audience with a mix of old roots and modern reggae, attention fell on Scientist as he picked up the mic.
Some were confused as eyes were drawn to the back of the room, as Scientist had not yet announced his presence. After a pause, he took the chance to comment on the state of the world.
"I hate to see the way world is going, my bomb is better than your bomb," he said. "Both innocent people on both sides is getting injured.
"I would like to see a world where everybody can get fed", he finished.
Events in Gaza had perhaps informed Scientist's decision to speak to the crowd, whose sentiments were appreciated.
After a brief intermission the next act was on stage.
Jah9, a powerful female singer, clad in all white, echoed his words to remind the audience of the role individuals can play in helping each other in dark times.
Informed by poetry, the set was arguably more fitting to Scientist's downbeat and eerie dub style, designed to conjure intrigue on an autumn night.
Between rapturous performances which had the crowd swaying, cheering and dancing gleefully, Scientist unleashed his classics, weaving in Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires, an album undeniably fitting the occasion.
He finished with Your Teeth In My Neck, a calm, melodic record - which despite the name and unsettling world events, brought the night to a tranquil, yet hopeful close.
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