Conversation with Luciano May 9th, 2005

conducted by Larry Leiber for the ReggaeMovement

Jah Words Released 5/05 Review  -  Artist Page - Ras Records

Jah Words Tour Review - Pics from the Tour

ON "JAH WORDS"

 

Luciano Fox Theatre 2003

ReggaeMovement.com : First off, I want to thank you for speaking with me today.  Back when i was first becoming interested in Reggae music, a person in the USVI, a drummer of a steel drum band, said i should listen to Luciano.  Since then, you have helped to form an inspiration and passion for reggae in me, and I thank you for sitting down and taking some time.

Luciano : Give thanks for the kind words my brother, and Big up the Reggae Movement! 

ReggaeMovement.com :  You have recently released Jah Words (review), your latest album.  As with each album of your past, your spirituality shines through in Jah Words (review).  What feelings did you have as you approached this latest album, and how did you feel after you were finished?

Luciano : Actually, on this album, all these songs were written by Brother Ian (Ian Clough) and Brother Calvini (Calvini Bakker).    It started off to be just one song.  For 2 years Brother Ian had been checking me down trying to get me to sing this one song, which was Foot Souljah.  Then after we did that song, it led to another, and I realized that him and I had formed a chemistry, where whatever song he wrote I could feel what he was writing.  I could put spirit to it, and he realized…he couldn’t believe how easy I could interpret his songs.

ReggaeMovement.com : Have you worked with others in the past who have written songs for you in the past, or is this the first album of such a collaboration?

Luciano : Well, I’ve done one song, but not an album in its entirety.    The songs, when I look to his songs, as he would hand over the songs to me, I could FEEL my connection with the songs.  The lyrics really appealing to my spirituality.  Very Easy to work with them.

ReggaeMovement.com : How would Jah Words impact me if I knew nothing about Reggae Music?    

Luciano :  Jah Words are really positive words.  As I say, Jah Words speaks for itself.  Spiritual Words,  inspirational words that really speak towards matters concerning social issues and spirituality.  These songs appeal to almost every situation in all life.  There’s one that deals with love, there’s one that deals with the way the youths are suffering.  ** sings portion of “Cry for Justice” **  That’s one of my main songs on this album, and I really love it.   

And as I say, Jah Words to me are words very much needed, because we’re living in some very perilous times, and Jah Words are the antidote for these times.

ReggaeMovement.com : Given the fact that the lyrics of these songs written by others, do you feel your thoughts and inspirations have changed from say One Way Ticket and Where There is Life to “Jah Words”?

Luciano :  Well I consider myself to be the same positive, rootical singer, but I’m also willing to experiment more today.  I’m not one minded or one track minded, and I believe it’s all good and well when you can listen and learn from others.  Out of the universal understanding of life, the vision will come sometimes not only from my own vision, but from those who believe in you as well.  Brother Ian is one of such, one of my biggest fans, one who really believes in my work and its, you know, he’s been looking for big deals for me and this is his opportunity to produce the album and take it to a company.  I can’t give big enough props for Ian and for helping make this link with Sanctuary.

ReggaeMovement.com : how did you meet Ian?

Luciano :  As I said, he’s really like a big fan.  He’s just always listen to music and come to my shows.  Each time I’d perform in NY and New Jersey, he would come and really enjoy my work, and then from to time I realize he’s a writer.  He track me down for like 2 years trying to get me to sing this one song, Foot Souljah.  Then from then, after I did one song, it just led to another.    Each time I would come, he would come and say “Luchie, got a next song for you”. 

As a matter of fact, he originally wanted to do a combination with me and Brother George Nooks.  He had already done the George Nooks portion and was waiting for my side to complete the album.  But when working with me, you know, different vibes and ideas and motivated to complete the album.  Which is where we are now.

ON REGGAE AND MORE

ReggaeMovement.com :  What are your thoughts on the international growth of Reggae music?

Luciano :  I think there’s been a lot of confusion going on in the music.  It’s like there’s a big tree growing but another small tree springing up beside the tree.  I can’t stand for one tree starving another.  If you’re not careful, the roots of the tree can be oversighted or overcrowded by this variation of dance and in lot of uptempo beats.  People have been more into the dance in the music rather than the message.  RM -  May I presume you’re referring to dancehall?  Luciano :  Yeah, I’m referring to dancehall.  Dancehall is one limb from the tree that has grown out of proportion,  I think.  I see it also in the younger generation for them to have something with the uptempo, but it’s the message.  All beats are innocent, ya know, these lyrics they put to these songs confuse the whole issue.  Reggae music started out from the struggle of a people, and its a cry of the people coming out in the song’s message.  People singing about their suffering and looking out towards the motherland.    It goes to show that we’re still in Babylon, and we sing our songs in a strange land.  But beside of that, gone all these days are when people worry about the history.  Seems now the youths are more inclined to be more like Americans, caught up in the “American Dream” sounding like their hip hop brothers and everything.  Its okay for them to experiment and everything, but they should also remember where their coming from.

ReggaeMovement.com : Given the state, as you say, of the Reggae message, you have become known as the next reggae “prophet”, and have been anointed as Jah Messenger.  How have you approached that responsibility.

Luciano :  I think that they see the hard work and dedication to the mission that what they’re seeing.  Because you know one has to come and prove themselves before they can receive certain titles.   I think that everyone sees my steadfastness and persistence at getting the message out to the people.

ReggaeMovement.com : Do you feel that a reggae “prophet” is still needed, or has reggae grown beyond that need? 

Luciano :  Well I think the message is always needed, and for that reason “The Messenger” is always needed.  For me, I’m more comfortable with the title “Messenger” because to me, it’s a more humble position and shows my duty as a messenger; my duty to deliver.  Because in these times people need a messenger of righteousness.  A messenger of hope, in order to cope in these perilous times, we definitely need this message.

And, as I say, it’s not an individual.  Anyone can help with this message.  There are many groups out there, like Morgan Heritage and Brother Mikey General, just beyond one prophet.  Its not just one prophet or comforter that people look to right now.  People need as much as they can for people bring a positive message.

ReggaeMovement.com : How did the title “Jah Messenger” come to be?

Luciano : Well, it is I who took a claim on this title myself.  As I read the bible, it had said that in the last days Jah would send a Messenger to clear the path for his arrival.  It appeared to me that the talent that God has given me is not just for myself or for my family, but really for the benefit of humanity.  Cause when I view my life as I go out the road of life, this life that I live is for the benefit of others, and the talent that God has given to me I decide to utilize it for for the glorification of the Almighty and the unification of humanity.

ON LUCIANO

ReggaeMovement.com : You are coming up on your Jah Words tour.  What excites you the most about being on Tour?

Luciano : Well going on tour is like an escape.  It’s like a fresh breath of wind.  I get time out, I can be in my hotel room and read my bible and write a couple songs maybe.  And I meet my fans.  I gotta lot of fans, and coming out and seeing them is a great joy.  I love seeing the audience and coming out on stage and “busting” the place up [laughs].  I love it man.  Its my greatest joy right now.  If you take that away from me right now I’d be very sad, ya know.

ReggaeMovement.com : The show’s over, the fans are all gone.  How do those around you describe you?

Luciano : If I’m not on stage, I’m still on my guitar.  Sometimes you might come into my hotel room and I’m playing and singing.   Sometimes I sing the people too tired, but I’m like that.  I would sing myself to sleep.  I love to entertain people and make people happy.  I could see myself sitting there and being a comedian like that, but I see the need to make a serious impression on people and be the messenger.  But you’d see more of that off stage, me making people laugh and making people happy.

ReggaeMovement.com :  What is the one thing that no one knows about you that you wish everyone knew?

Luciano :  Well now you put me on the spot with that one…laughs.    The one thing that I would love everyone to know is that I am a very simple brother.  Very simple life.

ReggaeMovement.com :   If you were not a Reggae Singer, what profession would you be? 

Luciano : I really love to sing.   Its hard imagining anything else. The greatest and the most noble thing I could do is to educate people, which I feel is an important aspect of what I do as a reggae singer.  So right now I want to use the opportunity to educate the people. 

ReggaeMovement.com : What accomplishment are you most proud of to date? 

Luciano : Well I really gain my position in the heart of the people, and that is my greatest achievement up to date.  And any assets I’ve ever achieved whatever and building on, is secondary at the end of the day to the Bob Marley foundation, the mighty and first foundation.   But his spirit lives on in the heart of the people.  But once you can achieve that position in the heart of the people, and they can accept that there is a messenger and a message, that is the greatest accomplishment.

The other things that I have in mind are workshops for the youth.  Using the opportunities that God has given me to set up workshops so that youths can come in and learn the art of singing and the art of music, and other skills!  Like I’m very skilled in the art of upholstering, and as time progresses, I’ll invest more time into these areas as well.

ReggaeMovement.com :  When you’re not on tour, how do you like to spend your time?

Luciano : If I’m not on tour or whatever, I might be out in the country or might be looking for my family.  Or I might be on the farm or working on some project.  I like to fix things.  I love to make and fix things.    I believe in living a natural life. 

Many times people call me and want me to do a speech at a school or at a University.  Where it needs be, I’m willing and able.  And right now, we have a major major thing working to build peace in the community, of Kingston and certain areas, where we’ve been asked to come and make our own contribution.   

Trying to talk to them, some of the brothers who are leaders, we gather them together and take them out of their areas and reason with them and give them an alternative to life.   Show them the fullness of life and show them they could be using their knowledge not just to be a leader but to help uplift their communities.  So we show them we are willing, and put on dances, concerts and competitions.  Very simple things that can get the message across to the people.

ReggaeMovement.com :   How would you like to be remembered. 

Luciano : (emphatically)  I want to be remembered as a messenger mon!

I want the people to remember me as a humble messenger, willing to take the message to the people.   Who is a lover of people and a lover of life.  I love people right across the board, holding nothing against no one.  To be remembered as a Messenger of Truth and Life.

ReggaeMovement.com :  it’s been a refreshing part of my day to speak with you today, and I thank you for the taking the time.  I look forward to seeing you this summer.

Luciano :   Thanks, My Brother.