Nasio Fontaine... Dominica and the world's reggae voice

Part 1: On The Road

 
   

AfricaSounds explores the musical career of one of reggae's most intriguing and spiritual artists

(This feature combines historical AfricaSounds editors perspective + 2006 Interview with Nasio)

Written by Editor 'Bikutsi 1'   - Photos of BB King show by William Farrington.  Additional Photos of West Coast tour courtesy of Deen Ipaye
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(March 1996): Nasio Fontaine's portrait stared at me from several photographs tacked to the wooden wall of a clothes tailor's shack in the Bamilike highlands of Cameroon, Central Africa where I was living at the time on an academic exchange program.  I was there admiring the tailor's exquisite clothing creations when I was struck by the images of Nasio tacked to the wall.  There was something very striking about Nasio and his look and he seemed to radiated a strong spirit from the photograph, it was almost uncanny.  I was a reggae fan so was instantly intrigued by this chance introduction to a new reggae artist that I had not yet heard...  I inquired and the tailor spoke highly of Nasio's music and his message - "the people's reggae artist", and I learned that Nasio was from Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean, which probably had a lot to do with why I had not heard of him at that point in my life.  Unfortunately the tailor's only cassette of Nasio's music was warped and ruined so I was unable to sample his music that day and was left staring at Nasio's striking look in the photos and wondering just what he sounded like.  Nasio's music thus remained a mystery to me.   It seemed though that word of mouth had spread rapidly about this reggae artist and that he was treasured by people that had heard his music.  The tailor acknowledged that was very moved by the musical message that Nasio was singing.
   

Nasio's debut album "Reggae Power" (1994)- A legendary underground Reggae release until its subsequent wider distribution years later

(Summer 1996): Back in the USA, I finally tracked down a copy of Nasio's debut release, "Reggae Power" (originally released in 1994) at in New York City.  I vividly remember getting home and playing his music for the first time - I had been anticipating the moment for months but did not know what to expect.  The first song was called "Armed and Dangerous" and it started like any other solid roots reggae track, with a driving and catchy beat.  However, within 50 seconds I began noticing Nasio's special vocal delivery taking hold of my attention - his voice literally danced over the rich melody line and grabbed me with loads of emotion in his enunciation.  He was clearly an exceptionally talented artist.  By track # 3 ("Africa We Love") I had become completely convinced that Nasio's vocal delivery and message was something special.  It was uncanny, at once familiar and yet firmly rooted in his own knowledge and conviction of spirituality.  To my ears Nasio's voice and vocal delivery sounded far more like Bob Marley than any of Marley's children but to my ears it did not at all feel contrived or forced but rather natural.  I try to avoid these types of artist to artist comparisons, but in this rare situation I feel the need to compare the two.  Nasio's vocal delivery Song #5 ("Justice") was another powerful number and I concluded that what-ever spirit that had inspired Reggae's greatest musical ambassadors of the past was alive and in force within Nasio Fontaine.  His music and voice was brimming with spirituality and expression more so than most other singers I had witnessed.  The entire album is recommended and ranks up there in the list of all-time classics. 

             

(2006):  For the past decade I have been absorbing and feeling Nasio's music, his subsequent albums: "Wolf Catcher", "Living in the Positive," "Revolution," and his latest masterpiece "Universal Cry" (1996 Greensleeves Records) are all superb productions.

I was fortunate enough to catch Nasio for a phone interview during his US Summer 2006 tour and learned more about Nasio's musical upbringing and his thoughts about the latest release "Universal Cry".  During our talk, Nasio invited AfricaSounds to visit him in Dominica and currently our plans are to seek him out during our trip that will coincide with the 2006 World Creole Music Festival in late October.  We will certainly keep AfricaSounds readers updated with a feature (text and photos) of the reunion.

Nasio spoke to AfricaSounds from his home in Dominica - during a one week rest stop after completing the West Coast leg of his US tour.  Nasio started the interview in righteous and humble fashion, with "Greetings to His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I and greetings to all people."  Nasio explained that he had just finished the West Coast leg of his tour where he performed at 18 concerts including stops in San Diego, Los Angeles and Arizona - he was very pleased with the reception and thanked the fans for coming out from all corners to see him.   He was back in Dominica resting and then was to continue the East Coast leg of the tour. 

 
   

   

I asked Nasio about the latest release "Universal Cry" and the inclusion of a blues sound and harmonica on some of the tracks.  "Instrument wise I try to bring out all instruments - the harmonica was the first instrument I was given as a child - about 7 or 8 years old."  Nasio continued that "reggae needs to implement new instruments... new songs to keep the feeling creative."  With the latest release, the production crew focused on blue harmonica, live horns, live drums and percussion.  The conversation flowed easy and we touched upon many topics including the bi-racial context of his music and the fact that Nasio feels the need to confront real life issues in his song.  "One cannot say the sky is blue all the time" and Nasio addressed issues such as "poverty, children dying of hunger and the need to stop it as well as the need to build shelters for those motherless and fatherless" - these are all issues Nasio addresses through his music.  There is a beauty in Nasio's music but the issues are the serious ones that he must talk about - the things that Nasio sees around him but cannot ignore.  Nasio continued "Through the medium of music I can express myself and talk for people who were never given a chance" and lest we forget he concluded "Reggae is a Kings music." 

   

   
We talked about the re-recording of "Armed and Dangerous" on the latest release - this was the opening song on his debut album.  "We revisited 'Armed and Dangerous' because my manager thought it made sense to do it again this year."  Nasio feels that this time around he has "created it stronger - originally it has synthesizer drums and now it has live drums and harmonica.  We felt I can better the music."  Nasio also alluded to the fact that today's generation might do good to listen to the lyrics one more time with discussions of heads of governments, nuclear weapons and sanctions - all topics in the headlines of today's news.  With "Universal Cry" Nasio "cries out to everyone to save the whole world" - and he speaks to "humanity of all races."
   

   

Nasio next spoke of his love for Dominica - it is "a nature country of mountains, organic agriculture, beauty everywhere."  While there Nasio "lives simply with the earth - the rivers are lush, the mountains have not been poisoned and spoilt by industrialization...  I am an island boy" Nasio admitted and "when work needs to get done I get up and travel to sing, but am an island boy in my heart - and I like to be back home" in Dominica.  He enjoys this other side of life - "back to the roots - I drink from the river, write music - its a natural experience and mother nature is sacred."

I asked Nasio about his passion for music and for performing.  I have noticed over the years that those who are true artists seem to be born with the musical & mystical spirit from birth.  I was not surprised to find that Nasio was no different.  "From day one as far as I have memory to overstand myself I always felt music was my way."  Nasio explained... "At eight to nine year old I would sing at school... I was musical at school, I always had knowledge to play instruments.  First, I took sticks and beat rhythms on the desk.  I played for people around me, expressed myself through music."  Nasio sticks with music because it is the medium by which he can comunicate and reach the people - and I get the sense that this is the most important thing for Nasio - to express oneself and what he sees around him.  "My views are the views of nations of people... vibes from the early days.  Equal rights and justice... Music is harmonization of righteousness." 

   
   
A couple weeks later Nasio later came to New York's BB King's Blues Club to perform - he shared the stage with Reggae veterans Israel Vibrations.  The majority of the photos in this feature, taken by William Farrington, were of the BB Kings performance.  Nasio focused on a mix of old and new in his set list that night.  Starting with the musical intro, Nasio proceeded to play the following hits in order: Africa We Love, Crucial, Herbs & Loving, Armed and Dangerous, When, Reggae Music, She Lost Track, Babylon, Under Attack, Wanna Go Home, Black & Comely.  It was a treat to catch Nasio live, the hardcore reggae audience in attendance loved the performance and we hope to welcome Nasio back to the Big Apple one day very soon. 
   

   

Speaking to Nasio was not only refreshing, but it was cleansing.  He had such a good and caring spirit about him that it was a very special experience to spend time communicating - over the phone he brought me out of Manhattan's concrete jungle up to the hills of Dominica where we were able to reason about what was really important to humankind.  I did not want to stop talking to Nasio and very much look forward to connecting with him again when we visit Dominca one day soon.     

   

AfricaSounds friend Deen Ipaye kindly contributed the above two photos from Nasio's West Coast tour for the AfricaSounds feature.  Deen and the editor have both shared a fascination and appreciation for Nasio and his music for the past decade.  Deen is pictured in the right photo with Nasio.