Lutan Fyah “Time & Place” [Lustre Kings Productions] (33 rpm)

Mr. Lucky   9/6/2006   12-inch, Reggae

There has been a huge surge in the popularity of New Roots reggae, presumably a backlash to the slack and often violent lyrics that were so prevelent in Dancehall reggae in the 90’s. A number of artists have melded the teachings of Rastafari together with the singjay style, the result of which is a movement of music that tries to reach back to the sounds of the Rasta artists of before. Lutan Fyah is one of the new school of roots singjays who has made a name for himself in the past few years. His style is definitely more singsongy than others, although he has the ability to call on his more raw voice if the need arises. Rasta living, Babylonian oppression, life in the ghetto, love, and praise of the Queens of the Earth are all themes here. Musically, the album’s riddims are comprised of original compositions which is somewhat unique in a genre which constantly borrows and reuses elements of itself. Check out “She’s like the Rainbow” which contains an excerpt of Neruda’s “Cien Sonetos de Amor”. -Mr. Lucky