I always like to get to a Luciano concert on time because if Dean Fraser is opening the show it’s like the voice of one crying in the wilderness, bearing witness to the light. As I walked in Dean Frazier was blowing sweetly on his sax.  Mr. Dean was looking good and playing like he was feeling good!  And it was all good at the House of Blues in Cleveland (HOB)! 

As Dean Fraser closed his set of jazz-infused reggae instrumentals he took no hesitation to introduce the backup songstresses, Fari Singers, and finally welcome Luciano (bearer of light) to the stage. Luciano ceremoniously entered, dressed in Rasta military regalia, like a member of a royal Ethiopian court.  Striding in from the back to the front of the stage, humbly appreciating those who came (on time), he made his rounds shaking hands with almost the whole front row.  He made himself at home and introduced us to his new release, Jah Words (April 2005, Ras Records).  It was a pleasure to taste the fresh fruits of his labor, like Are You With Me and title song Jah Words, his words never failing to awaken, educate, uplift, and deliver a shaft of light in a day typically described as the darkest day of the week. Backed by Dean Fraser, Jah Messenjah Band, and the Fari Singers he breathed life into Dylan’s well-weathered classic Knocking on Heaven’s Door, transporting the audience to a higher level of consciousness.  Leave it to Luciano to cleverly interchange ‘Heaven’ with ‘Zion’ bringing the song closer to home for the Rasta’s present.  The crowd was full of familiar faces, some of Cleveland’s greatest reggae artists: Carlos Jones (Carlos Jones and the Plus Band); Ras T (Dub Flex); Istan Black and Stacy Eustazia (Istan black and the Sweets); Sister T (Jah Messengers).   All came in respect to hear and receive Jah’s messenger, Luciano. It was definitely full of irie people surrounded by the spirit of love that follows him. 

Luciano spun on his heels and the band did an about turn into a lively version of Peter Tosh’s Legalize It. Continuing to pay homage to reggae’s legends he single-handedly took on Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, playing an electric guitar as the band took a little break.  Then it was time to take it to the next level.  Luciano, Dean Fraser and the Jah Messenjah Band busted into high-energy medley that skillfully weaved between classics such as Who Could It Be, Your World and Mine, Take Me, and finally Good God.  It was obvious that One Way Ticket, the song about African repatriation, was a crowd favorite. 

As much as Luciano can entertain a crowd he will be the first to remind you that he is a on a continuous mission of spreading Jah word.  As if converting HOB into a Monday night revival, he reminded the audience that it was a “… time to pray … to restore morality and sanity …” He set aside a few moments to intercede and heads, some awkwardly, yet respectfully, bowed in prayer.  He didn’t hesitate to come full force with fan-favorite It’s Me Again Jah a powerful song of supplication. 

Luciano has consistently been a true reggae ambassador taking up-and-coming acts under his wing and presenting them to the audience at every concert I have attended.  He welcomed one of his backup Fari Singers to the center stage.  As she sing-jayed in a Sista Carole-stylee to I Will Survive she interchanged versus w/ Luciano, bringing a warmth and new energy on stage.  Cleveland area reggae artist Spartacus and Survivalist were also given a time to shine in front of their home crowd, making us proud!

He ended the set with InThis Together.  The call for an encore came without delay from an audience so captivated they didn’t want the music to stop.  As far as I could tell the band wasn’t ready to quit either as they remained ready at attention for Dean Fraser to usher Luciano back in.  The Fari Singers sent chilling harmonies, chanting “Got to Be a Better Way” as the drummie’s kick pounded like a heartbeat to queue in the playing of instruments and Luciano came bounding back in to take the song to higher heights.   

Enough can’t be said about Dean Fraser and the 6-piece Jah Messenjah Band.  The drummer and the bassist always connected tight on the rhythm and maintained a reggae groove that had a life of its own.  Keyboards and guitar riffs were dipped more in R&B and less in rock.  Percussionist colored the music in Green-Gold-Red keeping the nyabinghi flavor on the tip of everyone’s tongue as Dean Fraser’s saxophone leaned toward contemporary jazz.   Jah Messenjah Band is as powerful as their name, the perfect backing to the true messenger of love and hope.  I know that Luciano draws from the Bible and it can be heard in his throughout his lyrics, but I was curious to learn about the inspiration behind the music.  After speaking with Luciano back stage he revealed that he can “… feel the peoples need for love”. He thought it thru further and continued, “People they come to me with there complaints and I hear their plight, the plight of the people … yeah … the plight of the people.”  Luciano’s voice is a prayer for the people.  He is not only a messenger, but a comforter.  Find comfort in Jah Words.

Peace & 1Love,

Sojourner Tre