Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
ON WEDNESDAY evening, a listening party for Lutan Fyah's new album Phantom War provided not only sounds but also sight at the Ashanti Oasis Vegetarian Restaurant, Hope Gardens, St. Andrew.
The sound came from some of the Greensleeves album's 19 tracks, while sight and sound came from some of his videos, including Rude Boys and Gangsters, done with Hya Rems, Can't Believe with Josie Mel and Ghetto Situation.
The sight and sound combination came live when Lutan Fyah answered questions from the evening's 'sister of ceremonies', Denise Miller, about the songs he had chosen to perform that evening, both standing on the small bridge over the water in the middle of the restaurant.
EXPRESSING SELF
For Plant a Seed, he said, "The reason me choose it is it a express wha me a deal wid."
For Rasta Still Deh Bout, he said "A we dat. As Rasta people, before even before today Rasta go tru a terrible struggle. Man an' man hol it, woman an woman hol' it a' me haffi mek people know Rasta still deh bout."
There were cheers from the many Rastafrians among those who attended the party.
The title track's reason was "A war a gwaan inna every garrison, clique agains' clique. De yute dem a fight, but fighting for what? Dem a fight a blin' war."
The broken relationship song You Left Me was chosen because "Things happen. Everybody live a life an' tings happen along the way."
And there was laughter when he diplomatically declined to give the reasoning behind Rich Little Ghetto Girl.
HAFFI BUN
There was no question about This Fire, though, as he said "We haffi bun de fia fi mek de yute realise de situation dem inna."
After that, it was performance time, the bridge becoming a stage for Lutan Fyah to deliver the lyrics live to a very receptive audience.
Julian Romanetti of Green Gorilla Media, which compiled Phantom War, said "It's been a pleasure working with Lutan Fyah," describing him as "a perfect example of the kind of positive talent that we have in this country."
Romanetti said the association with Greensleeves had come through business partner Abidan, and that this was the first of a two-album deal for Lutan Fyah.
