LUCIANO

Luciano is unable to quantify the number of albums he has performed on to date. “...’Bout thirty something,” he offers “including the compilations.” However, Serious Times, his forthcoming release from 25 th anniversary celebrant VP Records, is quite simply a musical prescription for these difficult times. “Right now we need the Father himself,” chuckles Luci (pronounced loo chi) when asked about his rendition of Come Down Father. Among the seventeen tracks featured on Serious Times, none is filler…each song brings to life the measure of a man, his struggle, his triumphs, his love and his losses. Luciano’s creative lyrical styling combined with the lush production of executive producer Dean Fraser featured on Serious Times plays like a well-written novel. Straight to the soul he goes with this musical masterpiece. It becomes evident that Luciano has matured into a master singer, songwriter and guitarist ready to put his versatility on display to heal the world. On Serious Times, Luciano sings about subjects many are afraid to even discuss openly. From the Revival hall to the Dancehall, Luciano’s Serious Times is a scholarly work within the tradition of the genre. Social commentaries, prayers, ballads, folk songs, spirituals, lover’s rock and roots rock are all found within the notes, chords and lyrics of this collection.

The opening track on the album is a stunning performance of Come Down Father, the tune made popular by internationally acclaimed blind Latin icon, Jose Feleciano. Miracles follows in the same vein, “some people live like kings/while others can’t find a thing/it’s gonna take a miracle of love to see us through” he wails on the track he co-wrote with Dean Fraser. Passionate about his music, he can tell stories of mystical inspirations and journeys into the creative process that produces tracks like Satisfy Yourself, a powerful self-affirming prayer written by Glenn Brownie, who Luciano deems “...one of the real elders in the music business.” Luciano says this track is one of his favorites as it is the story of his life. The artful Luciano treats every track with passion and grace, as evidenced on the Digital B produced Echoes of My Mind, the Harry Nilsson classic from the Dustin Hoffman and John Voight 1969 buddy flick, “Midnight Cowboy,” made popular in Jamaica by John Holt. According to Luciano, “This track just speaks to my spirit...I’m going where the sun keeps shining/through the pouring rain/where the weather suits my clothes….” Sly Dunbar’s drums come alive on Love Will Make It, written by Two Isis, a young group Luciano describes as “great writers.” The track is a beautiful inspirational piece featuring the vocal and musical contributions of Morgan Heritage, “some genuine musicians and singers who come to lift up the spirit of God within humanity. I enjoy working with them.”

In addition to his heartfelt originals, Luciano is great at doing covers. His remake of Cheryl Lynn’s 1981 smash hit, “Shake It Up Tonight,” released in 1993 on Freddie McGregor’s Big Ship label, was a chart-topping single in the UK. Luciano became even more popular teaming up with Beenie Man on a 1996 remake of Bob Marley’s Crazy Baldheads and the Stevie Wonder masterpiece Heaven Help Us All, which appeared on the 1995 Where There Is Life album. On Serious Times, Luci’s cover of The World Is Troubled is his way of paying homage and respect to Dennis Brown, the now deceased “Crown Prince of Reggae,” whom he regards as one of his “great mentors.”

When he speaks of his inspiration for the track Alpha and Omega, which he co-wrote with Bobby “Digital” Dixon, he cites his disgust with wanton idolatry within society and refers to 1 st Corinthians, Chapter 11, “To make it clear unto the people, even in the Christian community.” A Rastafarian, Luciano notes that “In the Rastafarian movement many of the brothers want to worship His Majesty as God and [it] is not so. His Majesty is Kings of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God; many of these people want to turn it around and talk about elect of himself… His Majesty is Christ in his Kingly Character. Christ came as the sacrificial lamb who was slain, now his Majesty has come as the Defender of the faith, the Conquering Lion, who rules and reigns.” An album with a strong political edge, Serious Times is bound to find itself in many a walkman, home stereo, boom box and car stereo for it’s summer 2004 release.

Give Praise, written by Luciano and Dean Fraser, features Ronald “Nambo” Robinson on trombone and Dean Fraser on saxophone. Just Talk To God is a powerful prayer that has the potential of introducing Luciano’s talents to a whole new audience, that of middle America. The African-American gospel and jazz communities, if exposed, will certainly acquiesce and place Just Talk To God at the top of the charts. The exquisite track features musicians Sly Dunbar on drums, Glen Brownie on bass, Robbie Lynn on keyboards and “Congo” Billy Lawrence on percussion. “It’s a mystery how that song came about…even the arrangement, the chords; I had it laid out as I was on my guitar, that is the best time when I talk with God,” explains Luciano. Very much in the tradition of signature Luciano albums like his1995 Island/Xterminator breakthrough Where There Is Life, Serious Times is a watershed album for this artist and the reggae music fraternity.

Jepther Washington McClymont was born on October 20 th,1964, in the fruitful parish of Manchester in a close-knit community known as Davey Town to mother Sophie and father Arthur, the seventh of nine children. From early in his life, he was singing in the church choir and at youth clubs. With a need to feed the fever which raged deep within, he decided to go to Kingston, the island’s capital, and make an attempt at life and inquire into the music business, only to meet with failure. A despondent Jepther soon returned to Davey Town where he sold oranges and other fruits in the market. He tells the story of singing little ditties as he solicited shoppers, but the fever still raged and he made yet another attempt at Kingston and the music. It was1992 and he had no idea what he was getting into. “My life has been like a storm,” he once told a reporter, but this return was “with much more seriousness. I would do upholstery during the day, then go to the studios at night to look for work,” he remembers. Soon, Homer Harris, one of his mentor’s, renamed Jepther “Luciano,” as his voice was rich and vibrant like that of the opera singer. Luciano quickly points out that “Luci means bearer of the light”…plus it signifies the number seven, which is his favorite number.

His radiant baritone quickly became the voice of choice for many a sound system deejay that would have him voice over classic recycled rhythms. His reputation grew. His dub plates became “killing machines” in dances “dusting out sound bwoys” in sound clashes the world over. Then came the death of Garnett Silk in December, 1994. Silk’s haunting falsettos ruled the airwaves and dancehalls in the early 90’s. Garnett was one of Luciano’s primary influences. Silk’s untimely death devastated Luciano. So, in an effort to keep the torch burning for roots and culture music, Luciano’s songs quickly filled the void created by Garnett’s demise. He became one of the most prolific writers on the culture scene, working with producers like Bobby Digital and Mafia and Fluxy. Chart toppers like One Way Ticket, and Neighborhood Watch received heavy rotation.

Though he has worked with many producers over the past twelve years, his greatest success has come from his collaboration with Phillip “Fattis” Burrell and his Xterminator label. In 1997, Island Records released Messenger, another definitive body of work. From this album, hits like How Could You and Never Give Up My Pride became anthems within the dancehall, providing the artist with an opportunity to tour the world, playing in predominately ethnic communities of the Americas and England at first. Then he was off to Europe and Africa appearing and collaborating with Senegalese world music star Baaba Maal and his Dande Lenol band on the single Africans Unite for Maal’s 1998 release, Nomad Soul. Luciano’s popularity also extends to South America and the Caribbean. When he tours, songs like Sweep Over My Soul and Ulterior Motive are high-energy powerhouse performances that electrify and intoxicate his audiences.

His many releases on VP Records includes 1994’s One Way Ticket, 1995’s After All, 1999’s Sweep Over My Soul, 2000’s LIVE, 2001’s A New Day, also released in 2001 was 4 Rebels featuring Sizzla, Yami Bolo, Anthony B and Luciano. Then there was his 2002 release The Best of Luciano and of course 2003’s Serve Jah.

In order to clearly appreciate Luciano, it is important to have an understanding of Jepther McClymont. Like he has said, his life has been like a storm but now it is a serious time. Upon being presented with the highest honor of Fort-De-France, capital city of Martinique, Luciano turned to the mayor and eloquently spoke of his rags-to-riches tale, saying, “…imagine a man like me– coming from the marketplace to such high places is really a great honor.” His smiling manner, forever pleasant, is filled with a certain radiance. An admirable quality that sets Luciano apart is his humility. He never forgets his roots in Manchester

Recently, when Luciano was detained for possession of marijuana at the airport in Jamaica, the story of his arrest hit the gossip columns and rumor mills. Unperturbed, Luciano rebounded with the anthemic Free Up The Herb, a song which provides a synopsis of his experience, but focuses on the need to “preserve the weed.” Luciano sings, “…hold me outta airport with a little draw/say they want to carry me before the law/that’s when I talk to my Jah, Jah/Him say Luciano is no wrong doer/ask me how I plea/your Honor not guilty/is just a little herb for my medi/set this rastaman freeeeee…” As a farmer, he “knows his crop” and feels a need to constantly remind people “herb was given for the healing of the nation.”

Not only is Luciano a farmer, but he is also an ardent preacher. Given the opportunity, this Rastaman will preach the word of God anywhere at anytime. An even more political Luciano emerges from the title track Serious Times Serious Measures, done with label-mate Mikey General, where he observes, “leaders who have lost focus, war and crime, drugs…our own people encouraging the destruction of their own.” No wonder he sings, “Serious time/requires serious measures…”

Luciano says that in developing this album, he could feel the consensus of the musicians like Robbie Lynn, Sly Dunbar, Nambo Robinson, and Mikey Chung, the producers Dean Fraser, King Jammy and Bobby “Digital” Dixon, the singers Nicky Tucker, and Althea Layne Hamilton, who put all of their energies into the effort. Brother Sangie from the Twelve Tribes of Israel wrote This Feeling. “I allow other people to write and share their inspiration, as there are many people who believe in me as their singer who come with ideas and want to share…it’s an every man thing, it’s not just for me.” Psalm 121, the Psalm for the Traveler, is transformed into an ethereal Jah Is My Keeper made especially for drivers, “…before they hit the road, they can play that…some people are rushing…too busy to even read their bible, but if they put in a song like that, it can keep their minds focused on the spirit of God that they can be guided by the Spirit.” The Ras She Want is a dancehall roots tune paying homage to the “Empress” in a special-kinda-way. Luciano closes out deejaying on the end of the track, showing yet another side to his versatility. The album ends with the King Jammy produced tune, Only Love, that sums up the recurrent theme of the album that it’s only love that will heal the world.

Luciano shines on Serious Times. His message of peace, love and hope makes for great listening with its soothing style that keeps you rocking in your seat. Luciano is on his way to greater success and superstardom with the release of Serious Times. With this seminal piece under his belt, Luciano is on the road touring and taking the sound of sweet reggae music to the four corners of the earth as Jah’s Messen-Jah.