By Andrew Clunis,
Staff Reporter
Popular artiste Luciano, lectures at Social Sciencies Centre, UWI, Mona. The presentation was part of a series organised by the Reggae Studies Centre to focus on the internationally acclaimed music form.
THE MAKING Of The Messenger is the epic tale of a youth's journey from the hills of deep rural Manchester to the great stages of the world, where he delivers soul- stirring musical messages.
That youth, Jepther McLymont, popularly known as Luciano has impacted on millions of lives around the world and although recently he was invited by the powerful nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan to perform for his movement, Luciano's story is all about humility, survival and foresight.
On Friday afternoon he was invited to lecture to students at the Social Sciences organised by Reggae Studies Centre Theatre at the University of the West Indies and by the response he could easily take up a day job teaching the principles of good living. And you wouldn't get bored either, because he brings so much animation to his presentation and a natural penchant for the stage.
For over two hours he told of his satirical metamorphosis from a market boy to an upholsterer and ultimately to an acclaimed 'musical messenger'. His talk included snippets of religion, spirituality, health and metaphysics.
It all began in the small community of Davyton, in Manchester. He attended Manchester High School where he passed Biology, Mathematics and English at CXC.
"I thought I was ready to take on the world then, but I couldn't have been more wrong," he said.
He left for Kingston in a vain search for work. He was staying with his brother, who was a strict Adventist and Luciano eventually became a member of the church choir. His brother's strict Christian routine played a part in his decision to return to the country. He hooked up with another brother who sold fruits and vegetables at the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay.
Luciano began selling ice cream cakes and was practically living in the market. He was astute at his business, however, but the changing moral face of Montego Bay forced him to leave once again.
Missing the train he planned to take to Kingston, he rode his bicycle for an entire day, back home to Davyton. He found his saving dwindling because of family pressures and he headed to Kingston.
"If you don't take a stance in your life, sometimes your very own will carry down," the singer advised.
Seizures
His UWI presentation was only interrupted at times by a budding young Rastafarian woman who seemed to be suffering from seizures. In fact, she blacked out at times and in other instances her movements seemed Pentecostal.
But despite her frequent outbursts, the audience urged Luciano on.
In continuation, he said that being unable to find a job in Kingston once again, he became a member of the Tom Redcam Library and began improving his knowledge base.
Ironically, he lied his way into upholstery. That was testimony to his strength of purpose.
"I found myself in an upholstery shop in the south of Kingston. I told the owner that I was a professional. After a thorough rigging, I was offered the job, although I had no knowledge of upholstery.
"I went back to the library and read as much as I could and my brother and sister helped me with makeshift tools," he said in his colourful language.
Luciano became quite efficient and eventually started to transact his own business, despite almost losing a finger in the process.
As a boy he began singing at the market when he accompanied his mother, Mama Sophie.
Luciano's father built a guitar when he was quite small. Unfortunately, he died when Luciano was about to enter high school, but the musical influence remained with him throughout life.
While he continued his profession, Luciano began visiting studios and soon Ricky Trooper of Kilamanjaro showed faith in his ability and asked him to do 'specials'. But it was the introduction to producer after producer by Homer Harris which moulded Luciano's talent.
Castro Brown, Sky High, Freddie McGregor were just some of the many people he worked with until he hooked up with Fattis Burrell's Xterminator label. Subsequently, he took Sizzla, who was a trying DJ at the time, to that camp.
While the audience remained spellbound, Luciano read a scripture from Ephesians 3 and exhorted his focused audience to adopt practices in life which were worthwhile. Luciano's compatriot, Mikey General, also addressed the audience, noting that the black man had suffered great injustice in how he had been taught religion. According to Mikey General, noted that Rastafarian principles had helped to restore self-esteem and health consciousness in many young people.
The two artistes then sang. And when Luciano's guitar string broke, he used his mouth organ to continue the presentation. The room became a great choral chamber as the audience sang along to every tune.
And at the end they crowded around 'The Messenger' seeking autographs.
