LUCIANO

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Review written by Benoit Georges on Tuesday, August 16th 2011 - 14 951 views After a very busy 2010, Luciano continues to plough his furrow with collaborations outside Jamaica. This time he has turned to Austria for a successful partnership with the label and band Irie Vibrations, whom we have already heard at work with Elijah Prophet, Sojah (Konshens and Delus, present at the end of the album on a hidden track), Mark Wonder and Perfect. A very polished production, with heavy-rhythm riddims recorded the old-fashioned way: such are the general characteristics of this record. Luciano pays tribute to this artistic vision in the first track, which gives the album its title, Rub-a-dub market (a metaphor for the European market?). This true musical manifesto is one of the most interesting tracks on the album and has been judiciously pushed to the fore. Irie Vibrations have also reworked some riddims that have proved themselves: Jungle skunk for Hard road, Walk the line for Only you Jah, Love bird for Living my life and Carribean for Always around. The Austrian crew stands out for a genuine musical identity (for example, those openings blending guitar and organ, which look like a trademark). The result is of high quality and Luciano can easily do the job, his vocal intensity still intact. The only downside is that this orthodox production is matched by themes that are not very innovative and, above all, far less rooted in current events than on "United States of Africa", an album that spoke to every audience. With more love songs than usual (Truly love someone on the Sweet baby riddim, Feeling for love on the Work off ska riddim, Love or leave, Love paradise), and more timeless, less punchy lyrics, Luciano runs the risk of retreating into the "rub-a-dub market" he describes: a promising but restricted market.

1 Comment General appreciation : ses tracks sont formidables Posted by insa sambou Rating :  Sunday, May 15th 2011