 Lutan Fyah's latest release, "Africa" on the 2b1 label is a tremendous volume of music including many hit songs, collaborative pieces, and original works. Lutan's well crafted song writing skills result in music for the ages, timeless, yet still very relevant today, right now in this Iwah.
Born Anthony Martin, Lutan hails from Thompson Pen, Spanish Town Jamaica. Lutan has been gifted with a commanding voice, paired with stalwart lyrical compositions. The singer's rise to worldwide recognition began 1999 when he recorded his first songs on Buju Banton's Gargamel label. When "Time and Place" was released in 2005 on the Lustre Kings label, Lutan Fyah had become a new favorite among conscious roots reggae Dj's and their listeners.
Africa is an essential, two-disc set with thirty tracks of music in all. The album raises the listener's consciousness higher as vibes build throughout. Lutan's ability to harness word, sound, power, in his own unique style is what sets him apart from other singers.
The first disc has many noteworthy tracks. "Rasta Set the Tread" featuring Morgan Heritage is a testament to how the teachings of Haile Selassie I have been vital to the upful livity of Jah children. "What a Woe" has such lyrical clarity that conceptualizes what really a gwaan in the world, a non-diluted account of the manipulation of humanity. "These petroleum cartels fight for this bit of tar deep inna di Persian Gulf," sings Lutan. It is time for people to rise up ova Babylon and not allow our lives be controlled by the oil billionaires.
Many popular singles are contained within the first disc. "De La Vega", "Save The Juvenile", "Mightier Than Them" and "Slowly But Surely" These tracks have all been in heavy rotation on worldwide radio programs, and found frequently on many of the best mix cds from both in Yard and in Foreign.
In the last several years Lutan Fyah has been one artist whose name has appeared on many other prominent reggae band and singers albums. His vocals can be heard on much of his friends and peer's music.
One song that really speaks to me is "No Matter What the Crisis" featuring Midnite. Co-produced by Altafaan (Anthony Senior) along with Tsahai music production. Vaughn Benjamin's (Midnite) lyrical precision channels some real power, as Lutan's harmonies carry his heartical message forward. "They fight against di real ting, and dem boost up di fake"
Another big collaboration is with Natural Black, and Turbulence, called "Move Out" produced by Lustre Kings/Tsahai music on the Dew riddim. Natural Black and Turbulence's vocals pair well with Lutan's, and the tune has a softer, unhurried feeling. "Ghetto Children face the torments of hell, while the wicked count up their wealth" "Move out, go ahead and achieve your goal" Lutan advises.
The Title track Africa, features the legendary duo Sly and Robbie and is produced on the Taxi label. This big, big tune is worthy of anthem status. I an I sight up the vision of this playing in the dancehalls of Nairobi, Mombasa, Addis Ababa, and Dar es Salaam. Playing loudly in the taxis in Johannesburg, and on the street corners in Dakar, and Lagos. A blessed song, celebrating the "crown of the earth," Mama Africa.
Disc two starts off with "Season of Love" on the essence riddim, leading into "Too much Suffering Kids" a much-needed call to end the sufferation that so many youths are facing today. It is time to break the chains of poverty holding them captive inna di struggle seen?
"Is this the way" asks an important question. You have a choice in how you live your life. Nah follow dem heathens. Be a trend setta inna yuh community, live upright, do the opposite of Babylon. "Be Real" tells it like it is. " don't be lying to yourself, that's the way wickedness come in." From the spinal cord to mi brain Selassie is the almighty one!" declares Lutan.
"Out A Line" " blazes truth and rights like only Lutan can. "they're spiritually sick, that's why they get hospitalized. -The whole a dem mentally paralyzed." And while "Dem still a search"(track 6) I an I know " Haile Selassie I is the new divine" "Rastafari govern the universe" seek truth and knowledge in this time.
Whenever your "Trodding Alone"(track 7) Jah will see you through. Ask for His guidance in your coming out and going through. Stay focused; never get distracted from your purpose. "Rising" featuring Chezidek, as they elevate the vibes higher, Rastafari reach the highest of heights.
Many other noteworthy tunes fill out the second disc, "Up in Your Face," "its All In You," "Watch Over Me" "Red Alert" and others. "Africa" is a superior collection of Lutan Fyah's recent works, all backed by first-rate musicians. This is a must have CD for any fan of Lutan Fyah music, as well as newer converts to reggae. "Africa" will surely go down in history as an outstanding representation of authentic roots and culture reggae music.
Wadada,
M.Patton
bigupradio.com Staff Writer
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CD Review: Lutan Fyah - Africa
