Nasio
www.nasioreggae.com/
From the rugged green
mountains of Dominica a passionate manifestation of Rastafari comes forward in
reggae. His name is Nasio Fontaine and his music has the power to flow into your
consciousness and lift your energy. His voice has an unmistakable resonance and
his lyrics speak to all Jah children.
Nasio was the youngest of seven children born to a Carib Indian mother and
father of African descent, in the village of Carte-Bois, Dominica. The family
lived in a one room wooden country house without running water or electricity.
Before heading off to school, Nasio and his brothers and sisters walked miles to
the Gwiyo River to fetch fresh water for the household.
When he was eight years old, Nasio began singing in the Bagatelle school and the
village Catholic church. Nasio had a habit of making instruments out of
everything he could find. "My Dad, Atto, made my very first instrument, a
piece of board with fishing lines for strings; it meant everything to me."
According to the village residents, Nasio was often the highlight of the annual
school talent shows, and "a blessing to listen to".
Nasio’s musical inspiration comes from Rastafari but on the earthly plane,
reggae greats such as Culture’s Joseph Hill, Burning Spear, Jacob Miller and
of course Bob Marley. He is also influenced by Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, Curtis
Mayfield, and Dominican Cadence music, like Chubby and the Midnight Groovers. He
is very focused on what his music is saying, the message he wants to portray.
In the mid-1980s, Nasio moved from Dominica to the hustle and bustle of the
island of St. Maarten where he recorded his first 12" single Born to Be
Free (1986) and EP Babylon is Falling (1990). His first full length CD Reggae
Power (1994) was followed by Wolf Catcher (1997) and Revolution (1999). He soon
became a sensation by the power of the music and word of mouth alone.
Lovers of reggae music throughout the world know Nasio’s name, his voice and
his conscious lyrics. He speaks of revolution, of waking up the sleeping
consciousness of oppressed and freedom loving people across the Earth. In his
own words, “the music is important; I want my music to be my contribution to
the people of the world.” The world of Reggae and indeed the world of music
needs a new voice, get ready to be "Living in the Positive" with Nasio
Fontaine.
