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September 2003 |
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September
2003 Edition |
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Positive Music and Message
Surround
Messenger Showcase at Slims in San Francisco
Photography
and Story by Diane "Livonn" Adam © 2003
Friends of Reggae Music were elated to share in a very special
night of music with a message in celebration of the earth day of the Honorable
Marcus Mosiah Garvey (b. August 17, 1887). The Messenger Luciano along
with his Messenger Showcase artists Mikey General, Dean Fraser, Jah
Messenjah Band and backup vocalist Far East Singers delivered a powerful and
spiritually charged performance to a sold out house at Slims in San Francisco on August
17, 2003.
| Tour manager and MC for the show was Copeland
Forbes who opened the Messenger Showcase introducing one of Reggae's most
enduring saxophonist, the great Dean Fraser who gave an impressive solo performance of a
selection of reggae songs from his brand new CD release, Sax of Life (VP Records)
and highlighted his show with a soulful rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption
Song." |
Dean Fraser
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| Up next was Mikey General who opened his
set with the lovely "We of Israel Never Slumber & Sleep" (Jah Guides &
He Keeps) and his trademark biographical song, "Higher Ground" which Mikey
remarked to all Rastaman and Rastawomen that "…when you decide to accept the
faith of Rastafari you're going to get a lot of fight. I remember when I decided to put on
my locks and come onto the Most High Jah, everybody start to pass all kind of remarks
saying 'What happened to Ms. Taylor's son? Good, good boy that use to go to high school
and college man...boy gone and turn Rasta, OH NO him let down the whole family!' But let
me tell you something, they don't sight the light, they do not sight the divinity of His Majesty
Emperor Haile Selassie I. Jah Rastafari!" |
Mikey General
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Mikey delivered a blessed show and even performed a
brand new song called "Joy" which he says is a testimony of the goodness of the
All Mighty Father. Mikey General held the audience musically captive when he performed his
song "Sinners" from his 1995 VP release, Stronger Rastaman and the title
track from his excellent new CD release, Exalt Jah. |
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The air was thick with anticipation and excitement as the crowd
pushed closer to the stage. The heartbeat of Nyahbingi drums sounded the way as Luciano
appeared on stage giving praises in the many names of the one God of Creation and joined
in the heavenly harmony of the Far East Singers, Empresses Rochelle, Sharron
and Yvonne on the spiritual song, "No Night In Zion." Luciano never
released the crowd from their reggae rapture and reached back into the past to perform his
most loved songs including "One Way Ticket", "Messenger", "Who
Could It Be Now", "Never Give Up My Pride", "Ulterior Motive"
"Your World & Mine", "Sweep Over My Soul", "It's Me Again Jah
and "Good God." In honor of the Hon. Marcus Garvey Luciano performed his song
"Guess What's Happening" and Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." Luciano
also gave a tribute to the great Jacob Miller and also reminded the audience of the need
for unity and strength personified in his stunning performance of "In This
Together" which brought maximum cheers and applause from his fans.
Luciano took a few moments from his performance to introduce a very
special guest. The Honorable Aloun Ndombet-Assamba who is Jamaican's Minister of
Industry and Tourism. She told the audience that she was in town to speak at the Northern
California's Jamaican Association in celebration of the 41st
Anniversary of Jamaica's Independence and the birthday of Jamaica's first hero the
Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey and when she heard Luciano was in town she had to be there.
She hugged Luciano and reminded the audience to "come to Jamaica" for an
experience of a lifetime.
| Luciano continued the show performing the title
track from his brand new VP Records release, Serve Jah and "I Will
Survive" which gave vocalist Empress Yvonne a chance to shine as she gave a powerful
dancehall treatment to the song. According to co-producer Maurice "Black
Scorpio" Johnson of Black Scorpio Recording Studio the album Serve Jah
was three long years in the making and follows up Luciano's 2001 Grammy-nominated VP
Records release, New Day. |
Luciano
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Luciano was brought back to the stage for an encore and he invited Mikey General
to join him on stage to perform his song "Got To Find A Better Way" which Mikey
General sweetly mixed with his song, "Black & Comely." Truly this was a
night of the most positive music delivered with a message to an audience that warmly and
lovingly welcomed Luciano, Dean Fraser, Mikey General and the Jah Messengjah Band back to
San Francisco for this special night of righteous reggae music. |
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Blessed Love |
Hail to the King, Haile Selassie I – His Imperial Majesty |
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REGGAE REVIEW
ARCHIVES
September 2003 Edition |
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