2008 Lazo...
The song Congo Natty Dread,
as one listener rightly described it:
"is a tough,tough tune".
It moves you.
It hooks you right from the first note.Very deep in
feeling, emotion and meditation.It is a testament of the trials and tribulation, righteousness has had to endure to overcome evil in high and low places. Moreover,it illuminates the stumbling blocks that socio-political Reggae and it's ambassadors has had to overcome,and still
has to overcome,in these times when fiction is being masqueraded as reality, and lies parading as truth.
Liberty, Equality,Justice for All and loving humanity, are some of the sentiments and ideals expressed and envisioned in Congo Natty Dread.
Congo Natty Dread:
Dem could burst my head, I will never get Mad
Dem could dig out my eyes, is the farther I'll see
If they cut my hands, I'll be holding on stronger
If they castrate me, I will still spread the seeds
These lyrics reinforces the commitment to stay on the righteous path,no matter what the cost,and to continue the works of the pioneers/freedom fighters, in saying no to war,hunger,greed,racism,environmental degradation,religion and all the other socially constructed plagues that are on the verge of destroying our planet.
One People, One World.
2006 Lazo...
"The human species is the most unpredictable species - peace and love today, war and hate tomorrow. Motivated by self-interest and an insatiable appetite for wealth, it is thus evident that mechanisms must be installed to curb this destructive vice. It has been postulated that the most salient problem facing our universe today is the problem of over-population; in short, there is not enough natural resources to sustain a population which is growing exponentially. However, my questions remain: What about radically reforming and transforming society? What about a redistribution of wealth?"
Lazo
AWARDS
2001 - Best Reggae Recording (Nominee) Love Is On Your Side
2000 - Best Reggae Recording (Winner) Heart & Soul
1996 - Best Reggae Recording (Nominee) Something Real
Top Reggae Performer Award at the annual Canadian Reggae Music Awards
BIOGRAPHY
Whether you follow Worldbeat or Reggae music or not, everyone has heard of the legends of those genres – The Wailers, Maxi Priest, Third World and Burning Spear come readily to mind. Well, Lazo has shared the stage with them all and for good reason. Lazo belongs in their company.
Honoured with awards from industry peers, Lazo was chosen as the Top Reggae Performer of the Year from the internationally recognized Canadian Reggae Music Awards and along with many Juno nominations; he garnered a Juno Award in 2000 for Best Reggae Recording for his “Heart and Soul” CD. The optimism shared from his beautiful composition, “If Love Is on Your Side” captured a Juno nomination as did another album “Something Real” in 1995
This charismatic artist -Lazarus John Finn a.k.a "Lazo", who holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto, was born in Castle Bruce on the beautiful island of Dominica in the Caribbean. He began his career at an early age with a band called Black Blood (their very first album charted number two in Dominica and received extensive air play in the Caribbean). Soon after immigrating to Ottawa, Canada, Lazo formed his own band, Unity, to start performing his original compositions.
This mover and shaker plans to make a difference in the world, musically and politically.
Hey, the guy’s got 5 CD’s out and is currently recording his 6th. In fact, “Impetus” is such a strong effort that it was the first independent album to chart on Vancouver’s Z95.3 (TOP 30) and was scooped up by the Washington DC based RAS records, becoming the first Canadian artist to be signed by the label. Lazo’s music video, “Crucial”, produced by Video Fact and RAS Records reached #3 on the charts in Guyana, South America and received extensive play on CSN (Caribbean Satellite Network), as well rotating on America’s BET (Black Entertainment Television).
Lazo tours tirelessly throughout the United States, Canada Central & South America, and the Caribbean with an eye to tackle Europe in 2009. His list of international festivals is ever growing, in recent year's adding Brazil’s Carnaval de Salvador and recently performed to an amazingly gracious crowd of fans in El Salvador. He is such a favourite at London’s Sunfest Festival that he has performed there for 13 straight years!
DISCOGRAPHY
The Time Is Right (Y.T. Records) 2006
Congo Natty Dread (Y.T. Records) 2004
Children of the Palm Race ( Y.T. Records) 2002
Love is on Your Side (Y.T. Records) 2001
Heart and Soul ( Y.T. Records/ Factor ) 1998
Something Real (RAS) 1995
Impetus ( RAS ) 1993
Satisfaction Guaranteed (independent) 1990
LAZO
Zard Tompkins
LaZard Productions
Zardlonga@yahoo.com
727.851.3246
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