Rating Scale: 6: Off-the-Scale!!! 5: Excellent 4: Very Good 3: Good 2: Fair 1: Poor |
CD Reviews - Luciano |
Serious Times - Luciano Release Date: June 15, 2004 Label: VP Records Genre: Roots Reggae Impressive vocals and outstanding production are the earmarks of Serious Times, the latest release by master singer-songwriter Jepther Washington McClymont, a.k.a. Luciano. Serious Times is a remarkable CD of unsurpassed quality. There're no weak tunes or fillers here, just the good stuff. This must-have CD is definitely one of Luciano's best efforts to date. It's difficult to pick the "best" tracks because there are so many. At least a dozen tracks can easily stand alone as major hits. One of my favorites is Come Down Father. This cover version of a Jose Feliciano tune is splendid. Lavish production and superior musicianship combine with Luciano's radiant baritone voice to make a truly exceptional tune. Another of my favorites is the sensational Echoes of my Mind. This reggae adaptation of the 1969 Harry Nilsson pop hit Everybody's Talking (from the movie Midnight Cowboy) is a stunning showcase of Luciano's phenomenal talent. With the help of ace producer Bobby "Digital" Dixon, Luciano recreates the Nilsson hit in an unforgettable style that makes it completely his own. We Need a Miracle, a Luciano/Dean Frasier composition, gets the nod for outstanding lyrics. The thought-provoking lyrics of We Need a Miracle meld perfectly with its soothing melody and a totally captivating tenor sax making this one of the most memorable tracks on Serious Times. Social commentary is the theme of several tracks including Stay Away and Serious Times Serious Measures. And of course, we have Luciano's trademark songs of praise and inspiration. Tracks such as Alpha & Omega and Jah is my Keeper continue to deliver righteousness from the "Messenjah." Jah is my Keeper is first-class rendition of Psalm 121 with an excerpt from the Lord's Prayer skillfully added in. Other tracks that deserve recognition include Satisfy Yourself, Nowhere To Go To and Love Will Make It, the ladder being a collaboration with reggae greats Morgan Heritage. Luciano, a superb songwriter, wrote/co-wrote nine of the 17 tracks on Serious Times. Much of the production credits go to renowned producers Dean Fraser and Bobby "Digital" Dixon. The CD includes both classic and contemporary reggae rhythms (such as the popular Doctor's Darling riddim) making the CD assessable to a wide range of reggae fans. Serious Times is a CD that will surely provide many hours of listening pleasure for years to come. Track Listing: 1. Give Praise 2. Come Down Father 3. The World is Troubled 4. Stay Away 5. Just Talk to God 6. Satisfy Yourself 7. Love Will Make It - feat. Morgan Heritage 8. Echoed of My Mind 9. Free Up the Weed 10. Alpha & Omega 11. Serious Times Serious Measures 12. No Where to Go To 13. We Need a Miracle 14. This Feeling 15. Jah is My Keeper 16. The Ras She Wants 17. Only Love Overall Rating: 4/5 Serve Jah - Luciano Release Date: January 14, 2003 Genre: Reggae/Roots & Culture Label: VP Records Serve Jah, Luciano's follow up to the Grammy nominated A New Day, personifies the essence of the man whose name means "the bearer of light." Themes of spiritual commitment and devotion run through this 13-track CD of positive and uplifting roots-reggae music. Produced primarily by Maurice Johnson AKA Black Scorpio, famed producer of 1980's and 1990's dancehall, Serve Jah took more than a year to complete. All of the songs were co-authored by Luciano (J. McClymont). The messages in his music are positive and include Biblical references. Skillfully crafted lyrics, first-rate production and musicianship as well as splendid lead and background vocals, all combine to make the title track, Serve Jah, one of the best on the CD. Another standout track is True Love, an upbeat song with a bit of a county flavor. True Love serves as a reminder of what's really important in life. I Am Not Sorry, a strong statement of personal commitment to a higher calling, is upbeat, danceable and one of the more memorable tracks. Other songs you'll want to give a listen to include Win or Lose and House of the Lord. Track Listing: 1. I Will Survive 2. Serve Jah 3. Win Or Lose 4. Injustice 5. True Love 6. Hail King Selassie w/Capleton 7. Nowhere To Hide 8. Born Free 9. Long Story 10. Gideon Bus 11. House Of The Lord 12. I Am Not Sorry 13. Mankind Overall Rating: 4 A New Day - Luciano Release Date: April 3, 2001 Label: VP Records Luciano's second release in 2001, A New Day, lives up to its Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. A New Day is one of the most positive and uplifting reggae CDs to come along in a long time. Strong spiritual messages resonate throughout this CD. Beginning with the opening track No Night In Zion, the mood is set for a musical journey into the best in contemporary roots reggae music. No Night In Zion is a must-hear song that you won't be able to get out of your head. Other outstanding tracks include the wonderful song of praise Oh Father I Love Thee, the conscious, yet very danceable Only A Fool and the lyrically powerful Traveler. There are so many exceptional tracks on A New Day that I feel I'm doing an injustice to those not named. There are no bad tracks or fillers on this CD. From beginning to end, we are treated to positive lyrics and quality music. With so much negativity in much of today's music, A New Day is a breath of fresh air. "The Messenger" is in top form offering nothing but the finest quality conscious roots reggae music. Writing credits go to Luciano who authored or co-authored the majority of the 17 tracks on A New Day. Expert production was handled mainly by Dean Fraser, with additional production work by Luciano, Sly & Robbie, Stingray Records, and General Lee & Gary Douglas. In track 16, an upbeat remix of Save The World, Luciano exhorts us to "set an example for the children to follow." A New Day is an example that I hope more reggae artists will follow. A New Day gives us hope for a brighter tomorrow. Track Listing 1. No Night In Zion 2. Oh Father I Love Thee 3. Is There A Place 4. Happy People 5. Road Of Life 6. Nah Give Up 7. God Is My Friend 8. Only A Fool 9. Traveler |
10. African Skies 11. A New Day 12. Hardcore 13. Spring Summer 14. God & King 15. Tell My Why 16. Save The World 17. Journey Overall Rating: 5 |
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