Published April 2001 

Morgan Heritage

More Teachings From Reggae's New Royalty

Uniqueness and unbridled creativity, as many would agree, go hand in hand. Allow creativity to take whatever form its metamorphosis dictates, and the outcome can be remarkable. Look no further than the rise of Morgan Heritage and you will experience the brilliance that this creativity can deliver, and has brought forth. With hit songs like "Reggae Bring Back Love," "Don't Haffi Dread," "Bust Up Barriers," "Down By The River," and "Reggae Roadblock," there is no mistaking the power of creative freedom as the group soars to higher heights with the release of their most recent album, More Teachings.

If your ear has been tuned to the Reggae world, then you know of the joy in their music and the message in their songs. If you are unfamiliar with the name and works of this group, take heed, as you are in for a treat.

Dubbed as the "Royal Family of Reggae," Mr. Mojo, Lukes, Peter, Gramps, and Una continue to capture audiences on a global scale as they deliver the Rasta teachings of love, peace, and oneness. Their musical roots come from their father Denroy Morgan, a Reggae star who in 1981 was able to score a gold-certified chart topping single in the United States called "I'll Do Anything For You."

Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, this group was viewed as a Jackson Five story within Reggae. They first caught the attention of reggae fans in 1992 at Montego Bay, Jamaica, during a Reggae Sunsplash performance and were quickly signed to the MCA record label.

The subsequent debut album, "Miracles," on that label, however, did not achieve the level of success envisioned by both the artists and record company. Part of the reason for this less than desirable outcome was due to the fact that the Pop music getting air play focused primarily on the Dancehall deejays like Shabba Ranks, Mad Cobra and Patra rather than roots music. The push by the record executives, therefore, was in that particular direction - a Pop/Reggae format. On a closer examination, one might also conclude that with the buzz which Dancehall music was creating, there was less of a demand for that which newcomers like Morgan Heritage was delivering.

While the rootsy element has always been there in the Reggae world, there has been a resurgence and increasing demand for the love and values which the icons of this genre extolled. The combination of the content of much of the popularized Dancehall music becoming less than favorable and the Morgan family relocating to Jamaica, where they could be closer to the pulse of Reggae music, has enabled the group to seize the day. Reggae fans worldwide are loving every bit of it. Those fans in Jamaica have embraced Morgan Heritage as their own and the group, with Jamaican roots via Africa, has never felt more at home than they do now. Home is now in St. Thomas, Jamaica where "the vibes are sweet down by the river," as Mr. Mojo articulately puts it.

Comparisons, admiration, and compliments continue to flow as the Heritage celebrity rise. Those comparisons have included the legendary Bob Marley & The Wailers, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, The Mighty Diamonds and Garnet Silk. They are appreciated by their peers and elders alike. As a result, they have been hailed as torch bearers of Roots Reggae music. Mr. Mojo's response to being viewed with such high esteem is "It is a heavy hat to wear. We say bless all that see us for who we are, and we pray that we can live up to the expectations of all that see us, for what they see us for."

The group feels very good about the completion of More Teachings since it is their first majority produced album since "Miracles." They feel that this latest album is more representative of the group with its authentic and organic 'rootsy' elements. Thus having more creative control in the direction of their music allows them to produce gems like "What We Need Is Love," "Jah Seed," "Ready Or Not," "Kebra & Fetha," "Same Old Song," and a score of spiritually and musically solid tracks.

In talking to any member of the Morgan family you will see that they are well versed in the teachings of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I. Teachings which they embrace and live by so much so, that this album was dedicated to those teachings. The choice of music for the expression of this message required the mystical "nyabinghi" vibrations which only Roots Reggae can provide. The delivery and harmonies of Morgan Heritage are as sweet as it gets with Peter's impassioned tenor, Una's melodious soprano, the 'stepping-razor' baritone of Gramps, and Mr.Mojo providing a touch of Reggae rapping.

Mojo explains that while the vocal performances will always have R & B overtones, due to their musical influences, he does not perceive any challenges in staying true to the roots element of the music as they become more popular. As a matter of fact, he would love for their music to become popular since Pop music is by definition that music which is popular. If their Reggae music was to become popular, it would mean that their message would be heard by the masses as they take it to all corners of the Globe.

With respect to the content of the music, the consensus held by the group, Mr. Mojo declares, is that "if we can not come home after a long hard day of work and slip what we just [recorded] in the studio, into the cassette and play it and our children be able to listen to it, then it is not worth doing. Do what you love to do but at the same time keep it positive."

As to the spreading of the consciousness far and wide on Canadian soil, Mojo says "we know Canada is big ...and we've heard that the Canadian people love to rock to Reggae. Tell the people to give us a call and we'll be there. We would love to do a Canadian tour."

Tell us what you think. word@wordmag.com