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Israel Vibration




The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features the discography of Israel Vibration. It is unique, because several additions have been made to albums, as well as solo efforts of Lascelle Bulgin, and Albert Craig.
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Israel Vibration, often referred to as The Vibes, are a Jamaican Reggae group. Even though some of the albums where produced by single members of Israel Vibration, they are still seen as albums of Israel Vibration on the Roots Reggae Library. Whereas albums of other artists who choose the path of a solo career were not included into their old bands, as in the case of Clinton Fearon and The Gladiators, and Congo Ashanti Roy for The Congos. Clinton and Roy were not the front lead vocalist for their former bands and can therefore hardly be identified as being The Gladiators or The Congos respectively. Israel Vibration have had an equal shares in lead vocals among their members, which makes their case slightly different. You are likely to hear each member sing songs turn for turn.

The members of The Vibes are known by their nicknames; Albert "Apple Gabriel" Craig, Lascelle "Wiss" Bulgin and Cecil "Skelly" Spence. For this edition of the Roots Reggae Library I will often refer to their full names. The Roots Radics were the backup band for Israel Vibration throughout their discography.







The very first album of Israel Vibration is one of full devotion to Rastafari faith. You will also find that the three members of Israel Vibration take turns in writing songs, and singing the lead vocals. We can and should all enjoy the same music, dance, jam and we should all sing 'The Same Song'. We are supposed to unite, not to fuss and fight. Dean Fraser adds important saxophone blows to this song. Reggae typically has song names such as 'Fussing And Fighting', 'Scoffers And Scorners', 'Trials And Crosses'. Israel Vibration have titled their next song 'Weep And Mourn'. Even though the name of the song is only sung at the start of the track.Babylon is going to fall one of these days. Once that happens, we will 'Walk The Streets Of Glory'. Going back in time to Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, trodding to the gates of Mount Zion, waiting for Jah to come forth. 'Ball Of Fire' harmonizes from the start. "Fire a go burn the heathen" is where the ball of fire comes from. Ten thousand careless Ethiopians went into the ground. "Where are you gonna run" when this ball of fire comes? It refers to Ezekiel 30:9. You will find that many of the lyrics of Israel Vibration are references to the Bible. They are not all necessarily mentioned in the reviews. "Two for every family and one for every city", Israel Vibration sing 'I'll Go Through', doing it for Jah. This album is one big testament to their faith in Jah Rastafari. There is no point in having to worry too much, which leads them to sing 'Why Worry'. Perfectly in style with what we came across on this album so far is 'Lift Up Your Conscience'. We hear the trademark "woah woah woah woah" from Albert Craig. Israel Vibration is in a good mood because the 'Prophet Has Arise'. Jah prophet has got dreadlock in his eyes, Cecil Spence sings. The prophet exhaled is Moses. King David is also mentioned as a prophet. You'd say that grammatically it should have been written "arisen", but I will be the last to correct Israel Vibration. "Give us love and repatriation Jah 'Jah Time Has Come', give us justice and righteousness". The 24th of September in 1976 an incident happened that Lascelle Bulgin remembers very well. "'Licks And Kicks' and boxes" for his brethren and sistren. The melody played in this song is hypnotizing and smooth. I am a great fan of this song. The original album does not contain the song 'Crisis'. Of course, it is found on the Roots Reggae Library version of The Same Song. 'Crisis' is a very lengthy track.




The second album of Israel Vibration is Unconquered People. Here, they broaden their range of topics which they sing about, but continue to sing about their love for Rastafari. "Sun, rain, moon, stars", the start of 'Give I Grace', and at the same time the first tune of the album. Israel Vibration start again by praising Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. It gets to the end of the week, 'Friday Evening', and hunger is widespread, longing for fish and bread. "The raises and increasing of the prices", we are talking about  'Mister Taxman' who is "there to tax and torment the nation, they say they are trying to solve the situation, but it will only lead one day to a revolution". The album is also known under an alternative title of one of the tracks, 'Survive'. The Vibes hold that only Jah can solve the problems on this earth. The necessity of survival of the youth is also mentioned. Survival is the motto as well in the next song, where all creatures will surely die from starvation and malnutrition in 'Top Control'. Again we see that their devotion to Rastafari is strong. The strengthen that view by singing 'We A De Rasta'. They feed on ganja, and Jah will be harsh on those who abandon the children. It is only then when we get to the title track with "Jah cool down the earth with the shower of rain, Jah water the foundation". Even though Babylon has conquered some people, "The Vibes is ready, so universal" for those unconquered. "A blind man can always hear and a deaf man can always see" 'Possibility'. "Where you gonna run when the house on fire, where you gonna hide when the place is getting higher". In the "shadow of the dark" who is going to skylark, the 'Dwellers Of Darkness', "get out of my way, don't want to see you I say". Again we hear Dean Fraser playing the trombone on this album, but also there is a trombone by Ronald Robinson and a trumpet by Junior Chin. A peculiar way of pronouncing the word "practice" in 'Practice What Jah Teach'. With that we finish Unconquered People.



Israel Vibration - Why You So Craven


The last album before Israel Vibration was to part for a couple of years. Interesting is the fact that the album cover exists with Israel Vibration facing both the left and the right.  'Universal Father' starts with a haunting chant that continues throughout the song. Israel Vibration sees innocent man go down, and ask Jah to move the barriers of penalization. The river of music prolongs in 'Why You So Craven', wondering why men is a coward, afraid to die and and therefore not going to heaven but is to burn in Jah oven in hell. Only a foolish man builds his house on the sand "and so he suffers inna Babylon", some of the lyrics of 'On Jah Solid Rock'. A very mellow devotional track is 'Jah Is The Way'. Arguably the best song of this album, without intending disrespect to other songs. "Jah is like a flowing stream, wash and be clean, then you step right in, Jah rule forever, fire bun you lucifer". "The system is so clever, but it won't be forever, Jah is always by my side, so I will never slide, oh wat a glorious ride, Jah will provide". Falsetto background vocals for 'Highway Robbery', calling for the sheriff and his deputy. 'Give Thanks And Praise' has a beautiful oldskool guitar riff. If we give Jah thanks and praise, Israel Vibration will show us the right way. Definitely the same level of beauty as 'Jah Is The Way' is 'What's The Use'. "Oh little island in the sun", Jamaica, and a 'Smack Right Jam'. 'Smack Right Jam' might somehow be a bit different from what we have heard from The Vibes so far. The melody of 'Morning Light' is a happy one, "the sun gives us light for the day, the moon shine so bright and shows us the way by night". A track that has only been released as a single is 'Never Gonna Hurt Me Again'. It does therefore normally not appear on Why You So Craven. As you can see, it does on the Roots Reggae Library.



Israel Vibration - Mister Sunshine


Israel Vibration split up right after recording Why You So Craven. They came together as a group again a few years later. In the meantime, the members all pursued solo careers that didn't really come of the ground. Lascelle Bulgin was able to produce a full album on his own. As the members of The Vibes are all lead vocalists, the Mister Sunshine album is presented as an Israel Vibration album on the Roots Reggae Library. It is not only a Lascelle Bulgin effort, as you will find that two singles produced by Albert Craig during his solo "career" has also been added on this album. 'Mister Sunshine' is not only the name of the album, but also the first track. Lascelle greets him with a "good moning". As a solo artist he continues to be a great admirer of Jah Rastafari. This is reflected in 'Praise To Jah', "no fuss, Jah Jah is a must". 'Roads To Babylon', "where we came across many women", both black and white. We hear a electric guitar in the middle of the song. The vibes of 'Reach So Far' are very strong. Reaching Zion is the ultimate goal, however, Babylon always seems to be standing in the way. I like 'Reach So Far' in the same way as 'Licks And Kicks' on The Same Song. "Fighting for tomorrow", but apparantly, some of the people 'They Don't Care'. No, a completely different song from the 'Equal Rights' of Peter Tosh. Then again, the message is the same. The day of harvest, no not the album by The Gladiators, but it leaves us with a 'Handful Of Corn'. The age old message of "reap what you sow". "Open your eyes" in the 'Haunted Valley'. The track ends slightly dub-wise with Bulgin repeating the lines "haunted valley" over and over. 'Scrabbling Down' starts very lively. He repeats the lines quite often as was the case in 'Haunted Valley'. Rather than the dub of 'Mister Sunshine' which originally appears as the tenth track on Mister Sunshine I have added the Albert Craig single I referred to earlier, 'Rock On'. This single appeared in 1984, produced with Norman Dixon. As mentioned before, two tracks of Albert Craig have been added, the second being 'Be Mine'. The playground is love.


After Israel Vibration had split up for a number of years they came together to produce a new album in 1988. They seem to have no problem with producing yet another great set of songs. "Standing on the corner, reasoning with your brethren, you never do no trouble, you never do no harm, taking it 'Cool And Calm', and so we a gwaan". The start of Strength Of My Life is sweet, cool and calm, and they refer to the ghetto too. An Israel Vibration album can not be imagined without the presence of songs about Jah Rastafari. This expectation is met with 'Jah Love Me', "I live a jah-full way, I grow my natty dreadlocks, I give praises so high, do you love me?" "Word sound and power I am", Israel Vibration made sure that this became a very strong track, "I don't mind what the heathen say, Jah love me, I don't mind what the susu say, Jah love me". Over to the next song, where The Vibes wait for their share, which they hope to receive on one day, referred to as 'Payday'. Very poetic is 'Greedy Dog', where Israel Vibration still find themselves in Babylon, where they'd rather be somewhere else. No more racism, Apartheid and partiality, fuss and rage in this redemption age. Tis is 'Don't Want Apartheid'. So, if The Vibes don't want Apartheid, what do they want? 'Perfect Love And Understanding' is the answer to that question. It is all they need, and "if we try, try try try we can work things out", because how could it be right to fight? Forgive to be forgiven in 'Live And Give'. They speak up against tribal conflict. "Until we find a way to move, our love for each other will have to improve" and this "Roots Rock Reggae got the groove". They chant that we have to "watch the 'Middle East', it starts from there". Again importance is laid upon love for one another, and the love of Jah. The title track originally appears as the last track on the album, which means that track number ten and eleven have been added on the Roots Reggae Library. 'Strength Of My Life' is much slower than the other tracks. You can probably guess who the strength of their life is. It is not the wolf they mention at the start. 'Blue Jeans' is a single by Albert Craig that he produced in 1988, therefore it fits on Strength Of My Life. It is hard to go around the fact that 'Blue Jeans' is a track about love, rather than denim.



Israel Vibration - Praises


'Vultures' is a song which tells us that the mouse is chased by the cat, while the cat is chased by the dog. The vultures are waiting to eat what is left of them. The poor have to fight one another while the rich are leaning back and drinking their champagne. "What you gonna do? Babylon chasing after you". Albert Craig sings a political song, "'There Is No End' to a good thing". He has seen children cry, die, fuss and fight against the truth and rights. It is a song for the uplifting for those he mentions being in hardship. Some of the lyrics are similar to 'Roots' of Bob Marley. A track sharing the same title with a track on Peter Tosh his Mystic Man, 'Rumors Of War'. Leaders of the world keep fighting over power, nuclear energy, science and technology, which causes the wars in the world. War is on the land, sea and air. There is also reference to the in Reggae well-known speech of Haile Selassie I, and thereby to 'War' of Bob Marley, "until there's no longer first class, second class of any nation, class race or creed". This song is sung by Cecile Spence, and so we have heard all three members sing a lead song on Praises. Brought from Africa as slaves, 'So Far Away', "with guns and ships and deadly whips". A track that asks for a lot of sympathy. Close to the end the song goes; "Africa land, where every man should live as one, Africa we want to go". To become 'Real And Right' you have to wash your sins away. No violence, confusion and nuclear explosion, we've got to treat the children right. As in many a Israel Vibration song, Jah is highly present. Get up, stand up, don't forget your roots, get together, and 'Make It Work'. The Cockburn Pen neighbourhood in Kingston is mentioned in this track, they look back at the times in primary school. In 'Jailhouse Rocking' Lascelle Bulgin is locked up behind the bars of Fort Augustus, in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Albert Craig comes with a 'New Wave', "where is the love? Where did Moses, Noah and Abraham go? Him standing on Jah solid rock". Singing about the rude boys, "them no cool, them a wail, because fiyah deh a muss muss tail". Marenda Douglas says the proverb "fiyah deh a muss muss tail" means that you may be headed for trouble and don't even realize it. 'New Wave' is a very good track if you ask me, pleading against war, just as in 'Rumors Of War' . Survival is the motto so "if at first you don't succeed, 'Try Again'', try again". You should give up any easily. A good message in general.




Forever has a personal touch for me, as I had a printed version of the album cover in wallpaper format and had it hanging on the my wall for a while living in Groningen. No one wants to live in poverty, still, you'll see the poor in the streets at night, the 'Poor Man Cry' track lends a caring thought to those. Fleeing from hatred, deceiving and jealousy, the children must unite and never turn their back on Jah love, 'Children Under The Sun'. The Vibes care about Jamaica and its youth, "island in the sun". 'Racial Discrimination' is less musical, sung by Cecil Spence.  The vibe starts again when Lascelle Bulgin addresses the 'Soldiers Of Jah Army'. The wallpaper of this album cover I had hanging on my wall was mainly caused by my love for 'Reggae On The River'. More a roots rock Reggae style than Dancehall if you ask me. Santa Cruz, Hollywood, L.A., San Francisco, Santa Fé, Boulder, Hawaï, San Diego, and "up in a Hopiland, the Indians just a skank it man". That was Albert Craig singing. We switch back to Cecil Spence for 'False Pretense' to talk about the time of revelation, desolation and "living so nice of the sufferers expense". I prefer this song over 'Racial Discrimination'. "Living in a Babylon" where there is "fussing and fighting every day, all the way" Lascelle Bulgin warns us to 'Be Careful'. For instance, be careful of those snorting cocaine. Rather than living in Babylon, The Vibes would be much more glad to 'Live In Jah Love' and to "look out for the young generation". "Na na na na na na", a track starts that introduces Reggae music, singing about the love for the style, in 'Red Eyes'. I suppose that their eyes have turned red after a good spliff of herb, as they do sing about the healing of the nation.



Israel Vibration - IV

IV is not only Roman for the number four, these are also the initials of Israel Vibration. And they are with three, not four members, making a strong effort starting the album with 'You Never Know', where "the vibes still have to flow", and where you will be dependent on what you were taught as a kid when you find yourself abroad. Watch out for them blasphemers! "'Falling Angels', them hypnotize you, they just want to be the leaders" and "their plan is to destroy you". We are to remember what Peter Tosh had told us many years ago, "say them can fool some people sometime, but they can't fool Jah people in this time". An effort to transcend the Reggae genre is 'Reggae Rock And Roll'. Hustling to make ends meet, unemployment, violence and hunger is what we deal with in 'Hard Times'. No dinner on the table in 'Hard Times', and also in the song that follows, where we find out that we also have to deal with 'Racial Injustice'. "How many rivers do we have to cross, before we can talk to the boss?" No you are not listening to 'Burnin' And Lootin'' of Bob Marley, even though we are lootin' shootin' and wailin' in 'Racial Injustice' as well. 'Run But You Can't Hide' as the title of a song sounds much like a Peter Tosh, doesn't it? On many a version of 'Babylon By Bus' you will find annoying skip-like noises at the end of the track. Not on the Roots Reggae Library as I have removed them carefully. We can therefore fully enjoy listening to Israel Vibration who want to protect the togetherness our children, black brown and white. The name of this song is also the name of a live album by Bob Marley. Not 'Vultures' but the hawk is coming back, "the system is the hawk", in times of economic crisis and when paying the tax. Another anti tax song, as 'Mister Taxman' was on Unconquered People, this is 'Nah Give Up The Fight'. It's originally written as"naw", rather than "nah", but in standardized Roots Reggae Library format the title has been changed to its current version We hear the train on its tracks, 'Thank You Jah' "for what you've done for me" bears close resemblance to 'Thank You Lord' by The Wailers. We are not yet done with this album however. On the special Roots Reggae Library edition of IV you will find a tenth track, from Is It Rolling Bob?: A Reggae Tribute To Bob Dylan that is 'The Times They Are A Changin''. The song will need no introduction. 



Israel Vibration - On The Rock


We have heard about Jah solid rock before, on Why You So Craven there is a song with that name, and Albert Craig sings about it on 'New Wave' on Praises. Now, the title comes in the form of an album, On The Rock. We will find musical referencing to many other Reggae artists. Not by replicating songs, but by creatively using slices of titles. Not 'Mister Sunshine', but 'Mister Consular Man. Then there is an 'Ambush'. I'm hearing you think, 'Ambush In The Night'? Yes it is! But a completely different tune that from the well-known song on Survival. Israel Vibration takes a wide variety of titles from a range of artist, starting with Bob Marley titles, 'Ambush In The Night', 'Buffalo Soldier', 'Survival', 'Bad Card', 'Corner Stone', 'Slave Driver' and lyrics from 'Them Belly Full'. They mention 'No Sympathy', a familiar Peter Tosh term, and 'Thief In The Night', a song on the first studio album of The Gladiators. That is not the only Bob Marley lyric we hear. "Brutalize me with music" we hear Israel Vibration sing on 'Rebel For Real', and we know that from 'Trench Town Rock'. "Put your first foot forward" and "overcome the past", 'Find Something To Do'. Of course 'All You Need Is Love' is a Beatles track, but 'Love Is All You Need'  is a track from The Vibes. Following up on this Lascelle Bulgin track is Albert Craig with 'Love Makes A Good Man'. That means we would expect Cecil Spence to drop the next tune, and he does rocking 'Brother's Keeper'. Continuing in the typical Israel Vibration theme with 'Struggling Youth'. Struggle in the land that is supposed to be free is a heavy burden on Wiss, Apple and Skelly. 'Stiff Necked Fools' and 'Kinky Reggae' in a 'Rudeboy Shufflin'. It would be unfair not to name Bob Marley once again for this review. Turning towards allmighty Jah is a must for The Vibes on each album, so they do in 'Borderline', marching in a beat. "There comes a time when every man needs a woman", 'Sugar Me', "touch me softly" and more. Somewhere you can feel the feel The Wailers had with 'Sugar Sugar' and the "come on in quench my thirsty soul" from 'No Water', and rather than 'Pour Down The Sunshine' we "pour down the sugar on me". Long awaited we get the title track 'On The Rock', a strong harmonica of sounds. Locked up in a penitentiary, Booth Hill and Tamarind Farm are named, as well as Toots Hibbert from Toots & The Maytals, with '54-46 Was My Number'.



Israel Vibration - Free To Move

The album art of Free To Move is nice, but not recognizably from Israel Vibration. That can not be said for the tracklist, which is of the usual quality. 'Terroris', about a peaceful brother that grew up in the ghetto. "Time will tell" and "cast away your evil spell, Jah will pour some water in the well". That last lyric comes from 'Smile Jamaica' from Bob Marley, a song that also Steel Pulse covered. 'Mude Up' by itself makes Free To Move have a brilliant start, even though having The Vibes sing "on the rock" might make you wonder why this song was not prepared for the On The Rock album. Nevertheless a strong effort from Albert Craig. A 'Travelling Man' trods through the album, praising the earth that we inhabit. "You see the people them walking along" but it is all iin vain, because "the 'System Not Working' for you". The switching of tempo in 'Pretty Woman' is amazing, it therefore not simply being only Reggae, also Ska. Cecil Spence comes in very, very raw in his own 'Concrete Jungle', 'Livity In The Hood', "right in your neighbourhood", where he will be chilling himself he sings. "Give respect to get respect, oh no don't try no disrespect, in no aspect". 'Saviour In Your Life' is equally strong The children must be wise in their choises. "Wake up be wise". At least "they couldn't conquer me brainwashing hypocrisy, them educated criminals bloodsucking vampireciety". "In Ham is known to be the prophet, and now you're telling me him come from Japhet". Albert wants it straight and clear, the "King Solomon Bloodline' is in Ethiopia", the appointed Lion Of Judah. Jerusalem is mentioned too. This 'Kinky Reggae', 'Roots Rock Reggae', 'Sun Is Shining' makes you 'Feelin' Irie'. I couldn't agree less with Skelly! Sweet Reggae has us moving on with Free To Move to 'Another Day' with a man sitting upon the sidewalk, standing in the corner. Chanting as the 'Small Axe' against the Big Tree, Apple is his name. "They give us Colombus and Marco Polo, and fight against we great Africano". "Fire in your wire", 'Life Is Real', the way he feels. He holds that black people are treated differently. A nyahbinghi drumming 'Mighty Negus', "the man from Galilee that walk upon the sea, let the deaf man hear, make the cripple man free and let the blind men see". 'Daughters Of Zion', a line that you hear, is the name of a Prince Lincoln track.



Israel Vibration - Pay The Piper

Albert Craig choose for a solo path from hear onward and it is only Cecil Spence and Lascelle Bulgin that came up with the tracklist of Pay The Piper. Like The Congos had their 'Fraud System', The Vibes have 'Systematical Fraud', caused by the very design of it. Lascelle Bulgin is trying to rid himself of Babylon. 'Pay The Piper', or 'Rip And Run Off' being an impressive Ska effort to title this album as well. The trumpet horns the track away for me. We are reminded of the 'Vultures' fom the Praises album. Even though the fact that 'Original Soljahs' starts more slowly, it turns out to be quite uptempo as well. "from long long long long long long time again try to control the Rastaman, but they just can;t do that". 'Can't Cross The Line' would have been a good name for the track too in my opinion. Raw Cecil Spence comes out, like he did for 'Livity In The Hood' on Free To Move, now for Pay The Piper 'Nuttin' Nah Bruk', the vampires are increasing the pressure on the sufferers. Marenda Douglus jumps in, explaining that The Vibes sing about the struggles of life. Before it was hard, but it's even hardr now, "nuttin' nah wuk, nuttin' nah bruk',  no matter how hard the poor try, nothing is working for them. They cannot get a break through to have a better life like the people in the upper class. Waiting for a fresh track where The Vibes praise Jah, we are given 'Pop Off', which has them do that. "See man come, see man go, over in the field, the farmers sow, out in the region, the fountain flow, up in the mountain, meditation grow". The Vibes sing "pop off, pap off and gwaan", as in, ms. Douglas says, "break off, let go, stop what you are doing and go". When I was younger I always thought that this song belonged on the Strength Of My Life album as 'In The Ghetto'. We return dancing the Ska for "'Exploitation' within the immigration, upon interrogation", realize that "you getting used, abused and then refused".  "'Hard Road' to travel, long way to go", travelling away from Babylon. From Genesis to Revelations they have come, but why do the youths have to get the blame and feel the pain? 'So Much Youths' is a critical look at society. The musical start of 'Get Up And Go' shows resembles for me to 'Africa' from Ijahman Levi. The remainder of the track is completely unique and good as any other Israel Vibration song. The next is quite humorous, "push up your 'Stinky Mouth'". Fighting one another, don't we all agree that there are 'Nuff Rude Boys'. Flying high on a very beachy 'Surfin'' love. Easy and breazy we wash ashore having finished yet another Israel Vibration album.



Israel Vibration - Another Moses

Albert Craig, or "Apple", decided it was time for yet another attempt at a solo career. He dully delivered with Another Moses. Vanity is not a quality in the 'Telepathic Wave' brought forward by Craig, bringing us love from Mount Zion and gives us his shoulder to cry on. "'Another Moses', another 'Exodus', of Jah people, going across another red sea". A brilliant Ska tune in which Babylon is chased away. Hans van Scharen beautifully introduces 'Be As One' on the saxophone. It fills the track with warmth. The follow up is 'Back Out Hyena', from a first-person perspective, "I Apple Gabriel", as a "lion in the jungle". A mellow tiny bassline blends 'Power Struggle', double trouble every day. "So they take another evil trip, blaspheming lion lips, a hypocrite, backstabbing, claim I wasn't looking". He mentions Jekyll & Hyde, Bonny & Clyde, the devil in disguise and the fittest of the fit. Hving heard the 'Poor Man Cry' on Forever  we have the 'Poor Man Street' on Another Moses. Hustling all day long and"do what we got to do to survive in this ya 'Concrete Jungle'". Craig finds himself a rebel. Some "wanty can't get it" and some "getty no want it", like 'Getty Getty' from The Gladiators On The Right Track, this is 'Keep On Dancing'. Albert Griffiths, the lead singer from the last mentioned band, was forced to choose a solo path as well and often would introduce love songs to new albums. Albert Craig does that too on 'Heat Wave'. A different type of love song, with haunting background vocals is track number nine, 'Venus'.  Simmer Down from The Wailers, 'I'm Still Waiting'. Picture that in your mind, and get ready for a different version of a song with exactly the same name. Another Moses originally finds it end here, with 'I'm Still Waiting'. The Roots Reggae Library has another song two songs waiting around the corner. Whether he wants to change the Music TV and wants them to play actual music, or for anything else, who knows, but he is quite eager in 'Give Me M.T.V.', and so is the piano, on a song taken from a CD with two tracks. The next song is from this CD as well, named Give Me M.T.V.. The song is 'Rudeboy Juggling' , after we had already heard ' Rudeboy Shuflin'' On The Rock and ' Nuff Rude Boys' on Pay The Piper. This ' Rudeboy Juggling' however, is a solo effort by Apple Gabriel.



Israel Vibration - Jericho



Jericho itself is a biblical place at the shores of the Jordan River, on of the oldest inhabited cities of the world. It is also an Israel Vibration album. The singers are as on Pay The Piper Cecil Spence and Lascelle Bulgin. They start the album off with power playing 'Lost Souls' "lost in the wilderness". They are "lost in their life because of the system". Female background vocalist repeat the headline of 'Gang Bang Slam', "does it really work?". We hear about fighting in the street, and it reminds me to the 'Smack Right Jam' back on Why You So Craven. "Which one of them" is asked when the "evening shadow creaps away" so "the night creatures come out to play". Lascelle Bulgin comes with a baritone 'Every Shadow', and I am a great fan of the song. They have also made sure that 'Jericho' itself is an articulate track. "Grab and take" is the motto for the wealthy thief, who didn't work from 9 to 5 to achieve their position on the hillside, in comparison with the poor woman on the riverside who try to make an honest living, 'Breeze A Blow'. "The river of tears run drie" because "it hurts so much, can't cry", the sad mood of Cecil Spence 'On Borrowed Time'. He does however optimistically tell us that "you don't know what tomorrow is gonna bring" and that "life is one big road, we're living on borrowed time".  An outrages gunplay dictates 'Violence In The Street'. Babylon is corrupting the place, trying to fight and control us. 'Mama Africa', 'African Uniffication', kingdom come "in Mount Zion". "No more war and tribal segregation". "Leaders of the world, 'Trouble them nuh set like rain" is lyrically fast. So "when you see trouble walk away from from trouble walk away from trouble or you get it 'pon you double". Trouble can arrive when one does not expect it. 'Jammin'' has been a popular Bob Marley song for a long time. The Vibes couldn't leave out this tribute track sharing lyrics with the famous track, but involving new lines too. "We're on the route, we way be in a Europe, we ina Paris, right down to Rotterdam, 'Natty Dread' a 'Jammin' in a Holland, you never know that Natty was the Ganjaman". They tell us that they found the best herb they'd ever seen there in the coffeeshop. 'Move Over', "when them come they jump around acting like a circusclown" is what "Babylon do in the state of emergency". This has a very vibrant melody. 'Thank God It's Friday' is a song by Love & Kisses from 1978. All that Israel Vibration did was to take this title, because the song is quite diferent from what Love & Kisses did. 



Israel Vibration - Fighting Soldiers

21st century Reggae is often not what it was decades ago. Israel Vibration have steadily been able to carry on their original sound into the new century. Just as on Jericho and Pay The Piper it is Lascelle Bulgin who opens the album, 'Unseen Bullet'. The electric guitar is very present in the song. Cecil Spence extends their earlier 'Why You So Craven', which was sung by Albert Craig who has now left Israel Vibration, with 'Craven Raven'. Lyrically poetic and musically vibrant in order to 'Level Every Angle'. They come quite different then usual in 'Fighting Soldier', as if to take a step back and let the track have a bluesy swing by itself "on the battlefield and in the danger zone". Not sattisfied with society they come in a rather similar way as the last song, laid-back, 'Tippy Tippy Toes'. "The Christians, the Muslims and the Jews" are all gathered for this 'Jah Runnings'. Even in a sufferation"your love must be shining so bright as the morning". But also "they need some correction" ,"malfunction" and "the wrong direction". 'Miscalculation' has it all. To love your brother and sister is another message in the track. I am extremely positive about the 'Sodom And Gomorrah' song, also known as 'Jah Run Tings'. They really find their strength of lyrics back in 'Sodom And Gomorrah'.  'Men In High Places', "they know they are in great danger for corrupting the human race". The sound of this song is more generic than what we have gotten used to from The Vibes. "If there was no war, what a wonderful world this would be", "Every day a just war, rumours of war" and more Bob Marley 'War'. 'Peace Not War' also reminds one of 'Wonderful World, Beautiful People' from Jimmy Cliff. The 'Unseen Bullet' must have made a 'Bloodstain'. Electric guitar builds this track and Lascelle Bulgin comes in strong with "the taste of blood is always on their tongue, you would do anything to fling on the ground". Ms. Douglas explains here, that there are always wicked poeple out there whose purpose is just to destroy people. Those people will do whatever it takes to throw you down, whether literally kill you or find other ways to stop your success in life. Whereas the 'Wish You Were Here' track from Alpha Blondy owes its resemblance to the Pink Floyd song, that of Israel Vibration hardly does. The Vibes apparantly want to be "hanging in the rain" and "banging in the rain".



Israel Vibration - Stamina

Scattered all around we begin with the deep voices of 'Far Beyond', beautifully filled with female background singers. It is good to find that even for Stamina Lascelle Bulgin was able to find his inspiration,"no more will we roam, taken away, far away". Cecil Spence was equally inspired, writing 'Back Staba', singing about "susu", "His Majesty" and "inequity workers". They created a very roots-like sound for 'Flood Water', I simply love it. "Ganja 'Herb Is The Healing' of the nation", "So why don't you give I and I the permit, to legalize the herb?". The message doesn't get more obvious then this. Another perfect roots track is "dem a stan up pon di 'Gully Bank', and a fiyah pay pa", yes "the next one come and the other one gone. What a song! Marenda Douglas tells us that many Jamaican inner city communities are separated by a gully, and these communities are politically divided, and they fight against each other. Where 'Herb Is The Healing' was an extension Peter Tosh asking to Legalize It, 'Natty Dread' is in no way resembling anything from the  Bob Marley song. It is even closer to Inner Circle's 'Bad Boy's, because "bad boys a fe run things". They mention Cyprus Hill in their song. Lascelle Bulgin is in form,  'Lion In The Jungle' bring forth the lines "this time could be different, if the leaders them take the right place". "no dog, no bone, no invitation". The Congos have a track on Give Them The Rights that is called 'Lion In The Jungle'. That is a completely different song though. "Roots and culture must mantain, no matter the trouble no matter their strain" we hear on 'Stamina', a feature that can definitely be attributed to the Israel Vibration members. "Whether you are kinky or you're insane" they sing. A conversation that turns into the song 'Run Away Girl', and 'Run Away Boy' "what is it you are trying to proof for the world?".  "'Cleanliness' is Godliness", "take a shower and make you breath smell fresh". Then Lascelle Bulgin comes in hot with "'Little Children' running round and round. Making themselves so happy. They don't seem to realize what is really happening, right now. Very soon there will come a phase, which will take them to another stage. Knowing the difference between good and bad and the the things that could make them mad or sad". 'Free Loafter', and freeloaders, "I get caught as the victim". 'Suatez Reggae' "ragga reggae ce soir" is a different swing from the usual. In France,  from Marseilles to Paris, but also in London, Brazil. Radiohead's OK Computer album cover by Reggae artists. This is what the Easy All-Stars did with Radiadread. We have a Steel Pulse and Easy All-Stars too, 'Good Morning Good Morning'. That was from a different All-Stars album. From Radiodread the song 'The Tourist' has been taken and added to this album, again a unique feature of the Roots Reggae Library.  



Israel Vibration - Teach Them Right

On Teach Them Right many of the tracks are cut off quite abruptly. From the original tracks on the album that are not dubs, only `three have a natural fading out. I have therefore taken the responsibilities for the fading final tunes of the other songs. Most songs have their dub versions also present on this album. They have been removed to make way for the full album with lyrics on the Roots Reggae Library. Still, some tracks sound a bit dub like. The album sounds a bit like the Mad Professor album of Cedric Myton after he left behind The Congos. The first track for example, Mister Conman' has a dub vibration. It is a very nice track though, opening this album, "sweat on my brow, eat your bread". How can it be, with all this fighting that there still is 'No Equality'? That has always been a thought that kept Israel Vibration busy. "Cold ground was my bed last night", Bob Marley definitely knows that feeling too. With his jungle friends point at hypocrites who are trying to kill the seeds, Apple has an agitated mood 'In The Jungle'. Albert Craig talks to the 'Gifted Ones' and gets a response from all of them. "Jamming till the break of dawn" is what Stevie Wonder says. Talking to Marvin Gaye, he asks "what's going on?". Michael Jackson advises "start with the man in the mirror". Donna Summer says "love to love you", and Smokey Robinson says "just to see her. "Here I am" said Al Green and Wilson Pickett in his turn 'Midnight Hour'. Diana Ross "upside down, you turn me, inside out". "Talk to Gabriel and I say there is no end to a good thing", referring to his political 'There Is No End' on the Praises album. We all should teach to 'Give Them Love'. Don't fight the gays, lesbians, the church, or anyone else. "Give them love, teach them right, love will conquer he, they will see the light". "'Hypocrites' and parasites will come up and take a bite, to the resque here I am, want you to know just where I stand, want you to remember your a rainbow too", are you al singing 'Sun Is Shining'? "No man is an island, no man stand alone", the fresh and spiritual Bob Marley tribute of Apple Gabriel. "Glory, we are his children", because "man to man is so unjust". 'We Are The World' is also host to more, original lyrics, quite clearly a very religious track. "Hallelujah, 'Praise Jahoviah'" is an extension of that. Both tracks are about Jesus Christ. "Every man needs a woman" and Albert decides to sing for his a song, 'She's My Comforter' and the trumpet blows it away. "Recycling food air and water from human dong and urine", building the 'Tower Babel'. Jahcoustix asks "who controls the 'Controller', who controls our leader" with Albert Craig answering it is lucifer. A brilliant song if you ask me, brilliant lyrics and style. Freddy Krueger, from A Nightmare On Elms Street is mentioned. This song, as well as the next two, do not originally appear on Teach Them Right. They are special additions on the Roots Reggae Library. 'Get Back' with Gomba Jahbari, a Reggae band from Costa Rica, is a mellow collaboration with Albert Craig. He sings 'Done Polio Virus' all by himself, bringing up horrible memories of the sickness he contracted as a kid. 



Israel Vibration - Reggae Knights



"It's 'My Master's Will' that I see the sun shine", even though life can be harsh, it still feels good to share things with another human being. Planting trees you've got to 'Dig Up The Ground' "plant the corn, enough hungry pickney over there a yard". "There is plenty around, they say starvation is another inflation". Plant the corn, yam, coconut tree, jackfruit tree, plum tree and banana tree. Together with its vibrant melody, this is a very strong song. 'Take It Slow' because "life ain't easy". "They say that life is for from, but somehow it doesn't seem to be". Singing the story of Jona and the whale accompanied by a heavy bass line, we are told what happens 'If You Do Bad'. David who slew Goliath, Daniel in the lion's den and the downfall of Sodom And Gomorrah are also given as examples. Just like 'Sodom And Gomorrah' on Fighting Soldiers this is a solid track. From the old times to somewhat more recent, 'Haile I'. Coming in hotter than hot 'Walla Walla', a showdown between the lion and hyena. I am a fan of this song. Just as The Gladiators have a 'New York' song In Store For You, Israel Vibration is also in awe of "the big city" in 'New York City'. They sing about Jersey Shore just around the corner, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island. A melody to dance to in 'Poor And Humble'. They sing that it is better to be humble and poor and follow the way of Jah than to be rich but astray in life. No good words for people with a 'Bad Intention', those should use more discretion. "The whole town is polluted, and it's starting to stink". This 'Old Town' does not sound a place where I'd want to be anytime. 'Rip And Run Off' was also an alternative title for the 'Pay The Piper' song. The song on Reggae Knights however, is different. Playing the banjo, 'Cantankerous' is a song about unification of Jamaicans. Israel Vibration is glad that Jamaica is no longer a British colony. They do not agree with those who say that Jamaicans are ignorant or cantankerous. Jamaica is pronounced somewhat like "Jah-maica". "Taken away to the 'Slammer'". A mood swing at the end of the day when coming back from school, a bad memory of the harsh times that the members of Israel Vibration had to endure in their youth. A generic end of the album with 'Original Gangster'. Definitely not the best song on the album, but it was an extensive album, and we can't complain about that.

The latest addition to the discography of Israel Vibration is called Play It Real. I've witnessed them sing a few songs from this live album during a live concert in the Netherlands. They continue to bring their own kind of vibe to the game. With 'Leisure' they're hoping for the best from Jah. The leisure is a musical one. A good substance to have present during leisure time is 'Ganja'. One draw for you and for me. "Long time me lick it in a bush", and "we noah want go a jail fe di ganja no more". All in all we are remembered of Peter Tosh his protest songs in favour of legalizing marijuana. But nobody should live like a fugitive, "for the stock mother nature gives". Very bright and happy is the tune 'What It Name'. According to Israel Vibration "the more you look, the more you're supposed to see", "no one no care for the poor men's affairs". In combination with Droop Lion, who also collaborated with The Gladiators on Back On Tracks. This is a nice song. "In this ya struggle, you've got to stand up" rather than "sitting and assuming that your burden is the heaviest". The work is 'Incomplete', and it gets left behind. "Jah water the ocean" and "Jah flourish the mountain". Israel Vibration is determined to find 'Happiness'. It's been a while since they've had it. No one wants to go to bed without having had a meal. The moneymakers and moneytakers are the 'I.R.S.'. "In exchange for your sweat and labour, they will use to fund their war". Just like 'Mister Taxman' on Unconquered People and 'Nah Give Up The Fight' on IV, this is third anti-tax song. This one is aimed straight at the Internal Revenue Service. Previously on a 'Journey' to find happiness, The Vibes are now walking the journey of the black man. Their destiny is their burden. Racism has to end, love has to come back to society, together with justice. The rhythm of 'Signs' hits in good. It is a rather slow tempo song when it comes to the vocals. It's "a sign of the time" that "Jah rules the land and the sea". Let's stand up and get moving, 'Dancing In The Rain'. This is much more uptempo compared to the previous song, although it doesn't instantly start as a fast track. We are enjoying a Reggae festivity, so "let the music reign". Next "they give their heart and soul unto the evil one" in 'Organ' where they are making a plan against Jah. The youth of the nation will be confused and they will need the right guidance to get to the right path. I particularly like the song 'Beautiful' on this album because it is a nice compliment to all good people. Sit back and enjoy it. I have called the acoustic version of 'Dancing In The Rain' 'Jamming In The Rain'. At the concert, they got themselves chairs to sit down on and played the acoustic version of the song.


««««« (1978) The Same Song
««««« (1980) Unconquered People
««««« (1981) Why You So Craven
««««« (1985) Mister Sunshine
««««« (1988) Strength Of My Life
««««« (1990) Praises
««««« (1991) Forever
««««« (1993) IV
««««« (1995) On The Rock
««««« (1996) Free To Move
««««« (1998) Pay The Piper
««««« (1999) Another Moses
««««« (2000) Jericho
««««« (2002) Fighting Soldiers
««««« (2007) Stamina
««««« (2010) Teach Them Right
««««« (2011) Reggae Knights
««««« (2015) Play It Real

Original Date Of Publishing: December 2014

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