Reggae, like rap, has always carried within its grooves the roots of rebellion. Classics such as Bob Marley's War helped establish it as music for dance parties and political parties alike. Recently, however, many of the reggae songs that have managed to bend American ears have lacked social content.
Messenger (Island Jamaica), the new album by the Jamaican-born singer Luciano, offers up something refreshingly retro. Musically, Messenger is a big, bouncy, pop album. But its lyrics are focused on the human condition--poverty, spirituality, the preservation of one's heritage. Luciano's voice is another thing that's special: his confident baritone is as warm...