LUCIANO
God
& King (Stingray 7")
Luciano left Phillip 'Fatis' Burrell's Exterminator camp at the
close of 1998, bringing to a close a creative partnership that
had delivered some of the best roots music of the decade. However
reggae fans had nothing to fear for Luciano proceeded to freelance
to good effect before linking up with former label-mate Mikey
General to form their own Qabalah imprint. The impressive output
from their joint venture (some half dozen 45s to date from various
artists as well as their own work, and one essential Mikey General
album) has not precluded either from recording for other producers.
In fact, last week, Zinc Fence Record of the Week was given over
to Luciano's otherwise under-acclaimed False Prophet on
the obscure Thriller label, and now this most gifted of all the
modern conscious singers steps forward with another rootical winner,
this time for one of the UKs leading production houses, Stingray.
In the relaxed and reflective mood of past Xteminator classics
like Who Could It Be, Its Me Again Jah and Sweep
Over My Soul which have endured to become highlights of his
stage performances, God & King is a beautiful devotional number
set to elicit raised lighters at any dance. In fact, it has been
doing just that since it first appeared as the highlight of the
Stingray Collection 6 album compilation and the extensive
radio play it has received in the UK ensured its eventual release
on 7".
The supporting Muzik Street rhythm, recorded at Stingray's Cave studio, is both stubborn and extremely graceful and is further graced by an ethereal, reflective trumpet solo. Also check the further cuts available - especially Sylvia Tella who applies her distinctive growl to a sad account of all types of people with heartaches and loneliness, who manage a Plastic Smile. Other fine cuts are Freddie McGregor's Peace And Love and Al Campbell's Live Up.
Peter Dalton, September 2000