Luciano at Independent - April 5, 2008

Luciano at Harlows - April 5, 2008

Luciano is still sweeping over our souls and in his latest effort reminds us in his live performance that Jah is still his navigator in everything he does.  Luciano [b. Jepther Washington McClymont] swept into the Bay Area with all of his usual bravado and spiritual messages performing at The Independent in San Francisco on April 7, 2008.  Luciano along with long time friend and partner Mikey General and the Jah Messenjah band with the Far East Singers are on the promotional tour of Luci’s new 2008 CD release, Jah Is My Navigator (VP Records).  Luciano gave an engaging performance of some of his best loved songs including a dynamic performance of “No Love In The World” and the song that epitomizes a live Luciano performance, “Sweep Over My Soul”.   As the crowd swayed in unison a number of shouts from the crowd were reminiscent of an old time church rival, a state of being that links us all with the spirit of love and acceptance of our fellow man.  Luciano’s performance of the song “This One’s For The Leaders” gave voice to the misery and sorrow brought on by those who are fighting wars and killing innocent people, a voice whose urgency is well worth the hearing by our leaders.  Jah truly sent this Rasta as a “messenger” and Luciano and the Jah Messenger band performed dub-wise style on his trademark songs to an appreciative audience who truly received his message to get ready for the Gideon war.  Rastafari!    The selections rushed forth in true roots reggae style as Luciano sang, “Serve Jah” which chants that man was made to serve Jah and together we’ll live forever.  Luciano was brought back on stage for an encore which he delivered in true roots rivalist style as he fell on his knees in prayer to perform “It’s Me Again Jah” and smoothly transitioned into “Jah Give Me Strength” which left the crowd wanting more.  Luciano also performed a few songs with his brethren Mikey General that left us all feeling their natural Rasta vibe.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed Luciano’s performance in San Francisco my journey actually began in Sacramento, California at the smaller but more intimate venue, Harlows on April 5, 2008.  It was my first time visiting Harlows and I found the area and venue very accommodating.   The crowd was milling around waiting for the show to begin as the Jah Messenjah Band opened the set with a medley of Luciano songs and welcomed on stage the great Mikey General, who is also celebrating the release of his new CD, Confidence In Self, opened the show with a wicked performance giving praises to the power of the “Most High Jah” which he melded with Bob Marley’s one-drop rhythm and then moved on to an equally impressive performance of “Higher Ground”.  The General continued his onslaught of Rasta vibes on his performance of “Joy” from his 2003 CD release, Red, Green & Gold (VP Records) and also “Jah Inna Me Head”.

Luciano’s appearance on stage at Harlows sent shock waves of excited screams and cheers from the audience as The Messenger brought forth songs from his new CD release, Jah Is My Navigator.  It was a splendid night of roots reggae straight from yard as Luciano gave a heartfelt performance as he opened his show with greetings from the Most High Jah Rastafari and blazed into “Messenger” which exalts his position as the messenger to teach the youth about roots and culture and garnered even more praise when he performed “Give Praise To Rastafari” and “Ulterior Motive”.  The roots reggae party continued as Luciano showed his beautiful spirit on the songs “How Can You” (be so ungrateful after all Jah has done for you),   Moving into the present, Luciano shined as he performed the title song from his new CD, “Jah Is My Navigator”, a selection that remains the #1 track both at home and during my travels, a constant herald to every moment of life, and I too join in Luciano’s refrain and “give thanks for life in my going out and my coming in.”  Luciano pressed on beautifully performing Bob Marley’s “Jah Live” and his original songs, “Never Give Up My Pride”, “Who Can It Be Now” and a medley of songs including “Your World and Mine”, “Hills and Valley”, “Good God”, “One Way Ticket”, “Love In The World” and of course, “Sweep Over My Souls”.

Luciano took us all on a musical journey of the songs that put him on top as the best Reggae artist coming out of Jamaica, a testament that will surly secure his longevity in the music business and help to continue to sweep over our souls for years and years to come.  Though long-time friend and saxophonist Dean Fraser was truly missed during these shows it was still no doubt that Luciano can make the transition by surrounding himself with fine musicians and vocalists that guarantee that he will continue to deliver superb live performances.  Yes, it still true, a live Luciano experience is at once sentimental, spiritual energetic and filled with an abundance of that ‘loving’ Rasta nature.  No other artist in these times glorifies Jah Works so stunningly as the messenger, Luciano.  Each performance by Luciano is one that lingers in your heart and mind and fans like me can never get enough of this singing prophet.  No matter how many times we see him, we can always be sure that Luciano will never forget his roots as he proved once more in his Bay Area performances, The Gideon war continues in true roots reggae style.