"Global fusion" artist Mario Pascal

Mario Pascal’s music is more than just music. He calls it a music ministry, with “messages in the form of upliftment, meant to keep our lives better.”

Pascal says that in simpler terms, what he does is a “global fusion,” incorporating Afro-funk, folk, roots rock, bossa nova and reggae.

“Depending on the mood or feeling, I might hit you up with a Living Colour song, or I might do a Tracy Chapman song. But reggae is always the foundation,” says Pascal, who lists Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane and KRS-One as influences.

Pascal, who sings and plays guitar, says categorization just isn’t for him. He’ll leave that to industry types.

Since playing locally for the past decade, including a few years spent with the band Cosmosaic, Pascal has realized that he walks down a different path musically. This forces him to create venues, whether it’s performing in an Ethiopian restaurant or an off-the-radar lounge like Urban.

He also plays from 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Racanelli’s Cucina in the Delmar Loop, and he has a CD titled “Light Up the Darkness.”

“The Loop is an epicenter where creativity comes from,” Pascal says.

He’s set to perform at the Summer Fusion event Sunday, featuring him in “Full Monty”-style — meaning you’ll get it all and probably then some.

“Hold on to your drinks a little tighter, because we’re going to shake up the place,” he says.