Quality-Controlled: A review of The Answer by Luciano

Standards. Maybe I am not as appreciative as I should be, but it really isn't much fun writing reviews for Luciano albums. You know, I can go into a release from virtually anyone else and at least have some type of questions going in. Even if I'm relatively certain about the level of quality I'm going to hear (and that is something that almost never happens, really), maybe the prevailing direction or the style of the project is something that remains an unsurety (<probably not a word). I was trying to think of someone with some type of history behind them -- more than just a release or two -- and really the only person who it reminded me of was someone like Beres Hammond. Even in the case of Hammond's, however, I may be wondering just a bit more of what precisely I am going to hear. Depending on who's in production and maybe what type of vocal artists he has joining him, there can be a faint amount of question going into something done by Beres Hammond. Luciano? There're no such wonders, even if he linked up with a Heavy Metal producer, I know what I'm getting myself into. The ONLY question you have going into one of his albums is how good it will be and that range begins at 'GOOD'. Whatever you're about to listen to will be at least GOOD and you know that looooooong before getting your hands on it (I can assure you, RIGHT NOW, that his next drop, whenever it gets here (this year or in 2025), will be at least GOOD. I can tell you that right now). So perhaps I've been spoiled by the drama provided by the likes of Sizzla Kalonji (sitting around wondering when the next "Rise To The Occasion" or "Million Times" will get here and you know they're on their way), Vaughn Benjamin and the questions of SOUND in his case (lyrically you know what to expect - well, you don't really, but you've grown to expect the unexpected in his case) and even people like Bushman, who we recently talked about, Buju Banton (if you've ever REALLY listened to a Buju set, you know that man has damn eclectic tastes in music, he will give you a few different looks before he's done).... Vybz Kartel.... the list goes on and on. When you get an album from someone, you're wondering about SOMETHING. That is, as I said, unless on the cover the big words say "LUCIANO". When they do, though it may not be this CGI-heavy, action movie of a musical display, what you are getting is, essentially, a LOCK (coincidentally, I just thought of someone who may as reliable as Luciano - his musical brother, Mikey General. Biggup Mikey General) (and biggup Mark Wonder as well, although on a much smaller scale, given Luciano's level of activity).

It will be fine, upstanding and wonderfully crafted Roots Reggae music. If you are a fan of the genre, you will enjoy it at least on some level and, at some point during your listen through, he will find a moment or two to absolutely THRILL you. You're going to get at least one higher reaching moment in the midst of a whole heap of immaculate ones. He's been doing that very thing for a few hundred years and if there exists anything good in the world, he'll continue to do it for a few hundred more (the first part of that statement is exaggerated, of course (biggup Luciano, he just celebrated birthday fifty-seven a few days ago as of this writing) but the second is not. Long after he is physically gone, people will be loving what this man has done and is still doing for us. His musical immortality has long been secured). Given the level of activity that he has demonstrated throughout the years (which, although it is rarely looked at in the same way, was once only rivalled by the hyperactive types such as the aforementioned Sizzla and Benjamin and Anthony B) it is so utterly impressive that he's not only managed to find a winning formula in terms of quality (he has, arguably, been THE dominant Roots Reggae singer for the past two generations) but sound as well. Where many of his peers have felt the urge to experiment and even reinvent  themselves in some instances, Luciano has reached level of full Reggae music royalty by establishing his vibes and re-enforcing them for the best part of the past three decades or so. Like I said, the questions for his output are very few and far between. One of them, however, is though his levels may began at least at GOOD, when will he be GREAT?

Today. Luciano will be great today. Someone else who has shown a penchant for a supreme level of reliability as well as flashes of genuine greatness is a little label from out of Munich, Germany by the name of Oneness Records. I think (though I could be wrong and I don't feel like figuring it out) our first encounter in a full way with their music would have been eleven and a half years ago, when Oneness delivered our 2010 album of the year, "Long Journey" from a then under-known vocalist by the name of Naptali. Were that not enough (and it 'were'), Oneness was also most instrumental in presenting the wonderful work of Achis Reggae favourite, Sara Lugo. If you spend any length of time around these parts, you know exactly how IMPORTANT her music has been to us. Wonderful works from the likes of Mark Wonder and Indonesian star, Ras Muhammad, would also come in as would, literally, countless riddims (all these years later, I'm thinking my favourite would have been the SWEET Soul Riddim ["Waiting for you, waiting for you, my familiar stranger. I can't have you. You can't have me. We can't have each other"] (BOOOOOOM!) as a composition. They have had better riddim albums, the Reggaeville Riddim had a better one, but strictly as a riddim, the Soul was probably my favourite) (at least right now it is. By the time I finish this sentence I may've changed my mind) (nope, it still is). The label would celebrate ten years in existence in 2017 and I can safely say that NO ONE has been considerably better (if at all) in the genre than they have over the past fourteen years now (and, personally, in terms of this blog, they have been as crucial as anyone in providing great music for us to listen to. Right up there the Zion I Kings). There was a fantastic song on "Long Journey" by the name of "Seven Miles" which featured Luciano alongside Naptali (and, if I recall correctly, Luciano had been something of a mentor for Naptali in his early days as a musician) so the relationship of Luciano and Oneness Records goes back at least that far. However, even prior to that, when the label would make their debut with a riddim named after them, present was Luciano with a big tune which I will tell you about, specifically in a little while. So clearly Morry, Benjamin, Umberto Echo and company at Oneness were fans of the singer in their own earliest of days. Throughout the years, he would also make appearances on a few of their subsequent riddims and, just last year, things went 'OFFICIAL' as Oneness released "The Answer", a full album from Luciano. WHAT! On paper such an occurrence is MAGIC for me. New album from damn near anyone on Oneness Records is a big deal for me, but from someone like Luciano??? That's something even greater and I was expecting the on paper wizardry to materialize as, potentially, one of the greatest projects of one of the greatest careers we have ever seen. 

And expectations were met. Even prior to actually listening to the music, I REALLY enjoyed the cover of "The Answer". It's so simple, but it made a powerful statement, at least for me. It's colourless and has a dusty or smoky effect to it and it's just Luciano at a very joyous moment. You will not get very far at all into the album behind that cover before discovering that the singer has a great deal to be "joyous" for. For example, check the very first song, 'The Music' which was Luciano's cut of Oneness' Bambu Riddim also from last year and it featured the well talented Jessie Royal (who had a project out from earlier this year in "Royal"). 'The Music' is GORGEOUS! It is a downright stunning selection which is a testament to this wonderful artform we all love so much. It's long been one of Luciano's foundational ideas that he makes music for a purpose and for the right reasons and this song is about that. When you make a positive sound (and especially when it sounds like this), there is nothing to fight against it! For his part, Royal well adds a very nice spice to things and I wouldn't at all mind hearing these two link up again at some point in the future. Next up was  an older piece which was very interesting in 'Build a Better Land'. In reference to this one, I once wrote, "....and although I still wouldn't call it a highlight here.... I wouldn't be surprised if I changed my mind on that in the future". Well, it is the future. It has arrived (still waiting on those flying cars they said would be around when I was a kid though) and my mind has changed. The song originally appeared on the African Children Riddim, way back in 2014 and I think that what hear now that I didn't back then is the prevailing VIBE of this one. 'Build a Better Land' is this golden call to action which has some depth to it as well ["Everyday we hear the same cry. Why people suffer and die. Things won't get no better unless we try. We can put our faith in The Most High"], with the main idea being to treat one another better than we do, IMMEDIATELY making the world a better place in the process. If that does happen and that 'better land' is built, Luciano wants to be there, that is the sentiment expressed on the fantastic 'Take Me to the Place'. Completely new to my ears on "The Answer", I thoroughly enjoyed the song and, in my overactive thinking-ness, somewhere in here I hear a sequel to what is simply one of the most POWERFUL songs I have ever heard in my entire life, Luciano's 'No Night In Zion'. It just extolls on the nature of ZION and how it is this amazing and NOURISHING place to be and I would think that the thought is not that we all need to pack up (biggup Ras Mac Bean) and head there , but that we need to take its qualities and bring them to us! Along with that, 'Take Me to the Place' SOUNDS so nice. I don't know what the name of that track is, but Oneness may want to consider spreading it around a bit if they haven't already, because it is divine! 

Back in the summer of 2018, Iba Mahr dropped "Get Up And Show" which was a better than solid EP set from Oneness (had a few very nice tunes, including a combination with Agent Sasco, 'No Vanity' and the MASSIVE 'Family Not Friend'). So it came as no surprise when Mahr (who is excellent, by the way, I should probably write up a review for one of his albums as well) (think I will) was tapped as a featured artist on "The Answer" and it still wasn't a surprise when the tune, 'The Victory' was both a single and one of the album's signature moments as well.

"Through time and time we hold our focus

And never ever lose our purpose

Do what we must, working from dawn til dusk

And all crumble around us

In Jah Jah I & I will put our trust

THE WICKED BETTER KNOW THAT THEIR TIME IS UP

LIKE STONES THEY TURN TO DUST"

"Yes, like sands through the hourglass

A so mi si di wicked man just ah pass

Yes, so wi ask fi strength and power and upliftment to di task

BETTER GET YOUR HEAD RIGHT

SPIRITUALLY GAIN LIGHT

IT'S NOT JUST A PHYSICAL VIBE

IT'S MOST HIGH INNER SHINING LIGHT"

Given their styles, even before the actual music, Luciano and Mahr make for a very compelling pair and what results may just be one of the stronger combinations of either of their careers (and in the case of Luciano, in particular, that is saying a great deal as he has worked alongside... pretty much everyone to date). The course here is one that when you align yourself with The Most High (and positivity, in general) your victory is assured. As I (just) said (watch this wonderful transition, watch it closely) Luciano has worked with a whole heap of big talents throughout his distinguished career (about twenty years ago, he even had a release by the name of "Duets" which carried four different tracks with Sizzla, a pair alongside Beres Hammond and other names such as Josey Wales, the Morgans, Alton Ellis, Cocoa Tea and Mutabaruka and that was just scratching the surface of his entire list). A name which he may've missed along the way, however, is Determine. Determine may just be one of the most underrated artists of his era, given his talents. That man's lyrical gifts places him within a category which sees him with very little in the way of peers. You could name a dozen or so individuals from his generation who have had more success, but maybe two or three of them have his lyrical capability when he is at his peak. It is a trait which he has, obviously, passed on as his son, Runkus, is clearly proficient with the spoken word as well and while we continue to wait for a Luciano/Determine link (and maybe it will happen at some point) (maybe it already has) Luciano and Runkus turn in a HEAVY tune with the fitting 'Use Jah Words'. The song originated on the very first riddim that Oneness made to my knowledge, the... the Oneness Riddim ["BLAZE UP DI FYAH, MEK  BABYLON RUN! ONE THUNDERBALL LICK DEM STRAIGHT DUNG A GROUND! BABYLON AH RUN, AH SI DEM JUDGMENT COME! DEM BOAT GET CAPSIZED, NOW DI WHOLE A DEM DROWN!"] and is remixed here via the addition of Runkus. Although more on the finesse side than his father (though I wouldn't necessarily call Determine's style 'brutish'), Runkus has a similarly unique 'spurting' style of delivery (check a damn impressive track named 'General' for a perfect display of that) (and definitely check Runkus own set from earlier this year, "In:Side"). He's also been on a couple of prior Oneness releases and has just turned in very strong output over the past seven years or so. It is apropos that this union produces a composition about being more careful about the things you say ["Use Jah words and hammer them. Do Jah works and stammer them. Words, sound and power come fi jammer them'"]. You could take this in a more specific manner and say its Luciano and Runkus warning musicians to do better ["Use up good lyrics and grammar them"] and to recognize the power that they do posses in making this music. The album's other combination 'Stronger' pulls in German veteran Jahcoustix and I don't know if it was the central purpose of the song (I would imagine it had to be one of them), but 'Stronger' MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD! It has such powerful and attractive vibes to it and it really gets you moving on the outside and inside. It also featured on "Reunion", Jahcoustix' most recent album which was also on Oneness Records in 2019 (I actually reviewed one of his albums as well, "Frequency", in 2013). What I take from 'Stronger' is the sense of preparation. Be it, mentally, physically or spiritually - you have to be prepared for what is to come! My eyes definitely gravitated towards the MAMMOTH 'Jah Army' because it had been quite awhile from the last time I'd heard it. I reviewed the Raspect Riddim where it appeared initially in 2012 (....time flies man....) and reigned supreme there. It is an AMAZING song and, as I called it in 2012, "almost vintage" Luciano. You do not need to be the biggest fan of the singer's to know exactly whose side he's tied to.

"To the ends of the earth

To the depths of the sea

To the highest mountain

To perform Jah works, I'm ever-ready

From the words were spoken

From the days of anciency-

It was ordained to be-

I fulfilled my destiny

What is to be must be"

You may remember the anti-violence piece 'Nuh Play Ting' from a few years ago on Oneness' most appropriately titled Nice & Easy Riddim (that thing was definitely nice and it was definitely easy) (big combination between Sara Lugo and Randy Valentine, 'Growing a Jungle', was also there) (Naptali had a nice drop as well). This one is kind of odd if you (over) think about it. You can kind of describe it as SAD almost, particularly during the second verse (which is a HORRIBLE story), but with that damn riddim behind it... it doesn't hit in that way, at least not for me. My confused emotions not withstanding, 'Nuh Play Ting' is one of the best songs on "The Answer", without question and probably one of the better pieces of its type  that I've heard in a while. Not too dissimilar from the ideas supporting either 'The Music' or 'Use Jah Words' was 'Ah We Dis'. Though it goes on and expands, at the beginning, Luciano, once again, makes the point that artists have the RESPONSIBILITY to make good and positive music for the masses because it is THAT important and powerful. If you choose to do what he does and what so many others are attempting to do, you take with it the potential fame and wealth, but it also comes with this  giant obligation to at least TRY to do the right thing. He then goes on to deliver what is a fairly straight-forward social commentary with, again, this ever-present notion of maintaining the positivity, the ACCEPTANCE and having everyone do our best, collectively, to improve this place.

The pinnacle of "The Answer" comes somewhere between a STERLING pair of tunes, 'I Wonder' and the title track. In the case of the latter, while Luciano's idea of the what exactly 'The Answer' [TEARS!] is will come to the surprise of no one at all ["Jah is the answer for all the world today. HE is the answer and love is the way. Jah is the answer, if we could just obey. HE is The Master, showing us the way"], the vessel he uses to convey it in is a glorious one. I used the term "vintage" in description of 'Jah Army' and the same goes for this one. Again, though it would not have been unexpected, take ANY point of Luciano's career and wherever you would find it in respect to whatever form you would find him in and 'The Answer' is a winner! And note the detailed message of the song - that humankind borders on ruining things because we have deviated from the path HE has set for us. The 'twinning' 'I Wonder' takes top honours on "The Answer" for me. Here we had another set which spoke on how we have wandered away from the teachings of His Majesty which has the singer wondering why.

"Yes I wonder how - could creation go so wrong

And I wonder why - man has disturbed The Master's plan

And I wonder when - will we learn to live as one

Yes I wonder and I ponder

On the first day, when Jah said 'let there be light'

And the darkness disappeared -

Still from that time, seems there's a conflict between the day and night

Cause there are people who dwelleth in Jah light -

Trying to do what's right

But there are those who lurketh in the darkness

Who always putting up a fight

Now we wonder how - could creation go so wrong"

Along with coming in with this infectious, almost bubbling vibes, 'I Wonder' can lay a significant claim to being amongst the very finest written selections that you will find here. That is heightened when you take in the delivery as well. There're sections of passion here, but much of it is toned back as you would be if you were confused and lost in thought. It proves to be this nearly perfect blend of lyrics, sound and PRESENTATION which made 'I Wonder' the single finest moment on "The Answer" for me. 

Overall, as I recall saying relatively recently, one of the best things about writing reviews is that it almost forces you to go back and have a listen to some previous work from a particular artist (or producer) (DELICIOUSLY, it was both in this case) and that was true as well in this case. I've 'stumbled' upon a wonderful old album from 2010 by the name of "Write My Name". I bring it up, not only because it's fantastic, it's better than you (meaning 'I') gave it credit for being, so you (meaning 'we') should go back and give it another listen, but also because when I listen to it, what I hear is this ultra-fascinating level of parity. There is an established line of quality set very early on there and things virtually NEVER get below that line, but they do go considerably higher on a few occasions and it has been that way for Luciano from basically the first time he had anything to say in a song. That line of consistency is also found on "The Answer", but it is a bit higher than on "Write My Name" (which is saying a bunch). The question, like I said, is HOW MUCH HIGHER. Ultimately, what Luciano and Oneness Records had when they gave us "The Answer" was something genuinely special, his finest release in release in a decade (since "Rub-A-Dub Market") and an album which, for all it may have lacked in drama and theatrics, more than made up for it with a consistent glow. One of his best ever. 

Rated: 4.85/5

Oneness Records

2020

Vinyl + Digital