Nasio
Fontaine
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".
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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.” Nasio’s forthcoming album, Universal Cry
does just that- he speaks to the victims of oppression with
clarity of vision seeking justice, freedom, and redemption. A
voice with strength, calling from the wilderness- that is
Universal Cry by Nasio Fontaine.
Nasio Fontaine Links:
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