'The Messenger' still carries the Word

Luciano: "Africa is where I want to be."

Luciano, dubbed 'The Messenger' keeps the society in tune with God through songs like "Jah Give Me Strength" and "Sweep Over My Soul." He is known for his military-style outfits and his Bible, which some people claim is to cut all destruction. Luciano now speaks about his musical career and more in an interview with The Sunday Gleaner.

What did you want to be in life, a singer?

I always thought of being a great person, although I had no idea of the field of endeavour. So, whatever I did I tried to do it to the best of my ability. I used to do upholstery when I came to Kingston at age 23 from Manchester and I tried to do my best at that job.

Why did you leave that job for music?

A cut on my finger. I was doing my job when my index finger got cut.I got some insurance money from the damage, give some to my mother and save back some for the studio.

Which studio?

It was Kilamanjaro, a dub studio in Kingston. This was after I was introduced to Ricky Trooper.

So you started out doing
dub-plate specials?

No, I was doing over cover versions in my own style. Songs which people like Kenny Rodgers had done.

Did you earn a lot of money from these recordings?

Not much. Sometimes it was like $1,500. Other-times it was nothing but I enjoyed it because I was doing something that I like. I didn't even charge any money for the first dub-plate I did for Kilamanjaro.

And one music link presumedly led to another?

Yes, for Ricky Trooper laterintroduced me to Earl Hayles from Aquarius where I did my first song Ebony and Ivory, a cover version of the original done by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. People were just amazed, saying I sounded like Frankie Paul.

How much did you make from this song?

I don't even remember, but the money didn't matter. It was the inspiration I got from doing these songs. Then I met up with Sky High, a producer with whom I recorded the song Don't Get Crazy. This gave me a lot of recognition abroad.

And you still continued to meet other producers?

L: Yes, when I came back to Jamaica I link up with Freddy McGregor, who produced my album Shake It Up Tonight. I got a real good deal and continued travelling abroad doing shows.

One can imagine your songs hit a number of overseas charts?

Yes. Shake It Up went number one, eight weeks on the UK charts.

Who else came into your music life?

Freddy McGregor. Yes, we did some real good works with the Exterminator label. In fact, I started to record exclusively with Exterminator doing songs like One Way Ticket.

This led to more and more tours, and artistes like Ricky General began touring with me to countries like England.

You were then seen as a 'messenger'?

I have been seen as a messenger for a long time because of the type of songs I was doing. Even my mother, Sophia, realised what I was doing although I got a fine beating from her.

Why?

When she found out I was becoming a Rasta. She couldn't understand why I was doing all this. I was then going to Manchester High School when she saw me smoking a big pipe.

Did your father understand?

I really don't know because Dad (Arthur) was not around. He left the home when I was 11-years-old.

What is the significance of always travelling with your Bible?

The Bible represents the type of consciousness which is within and I feel it has an impact on the lives of people out there.

If that is so, why do you carry a spliff?

I get the feeling that a lot of people don't really like seeing me smoking a spliff on stage with so many children around. So I am looking at the idea of not doing so.

How do feel about being booed at 'Saddle to The East'?

I guess that was a signal telling me that perhaps I should be home, relaxing at that time. It was certainly not the first time I was booed. I got a lot of that coming up in the business. It's all a part of life.

Are you satisfied with the direction dancehall music is taking?

No. dancehall music started out with live band and it's a pity it has reached this stage. It is a matter of musicians and singers straying. We can clean up our act if we try to make our lyrics clean.

How do you see the attacks on US affecting your music?

I have to put off my tour in U.S. because of the attacks. What else can we do but watch and wait for the best, and work towards our dreams?

And what is your dream?

Africa. That's where I would like to be.

- File

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