Israel Vibration - Slammer

The duo Cecil "Skelly" Spence and Lascelles "Wiss" Bulgin form Israel Vibration since the departure of third member Albert "Apple" Craig in 1997. When they started their career in the mid-70s, they were part of a group of harmony vocal groups like The Abyssinians, The Congos, and Culture, who brought roots reggae music markedly in the cultural Rasta tradition. Even when the heydays of roots reggae came to an end due to the fact that dancehall music became the next craze in Jamaica's popular music, Israel Vibration -- whether as duo or trio -- continued to uphold the Rastafarian tradition in exemplary fashion throughout as can be witnessed on albums such as "IV" (1993) "On The Rock" (1995), "Pay the Piper" (1999), Jericho (2000), "Fighting Soldiers" (2003) and the 2007 released "Stamina" set.

Whilst not really breaking any new ground, their latest full length CD entitled "Reggae Knights" remains largely true to both the spiritual and musical values heard on their previous releases. Except for the dancehall flavoured "Original Gangster", the only real weak tune around and surely not fitting the mood and vibe of this album, this set fully expresses their time-honoured preference for original, 'live' played riddims, stirring horn arrangements, and first-rate playing from musicians like the original Roots Radics members Flabba Holt (bass), Obeah (keyboard), Steve Golding (guitar) and Dwight Pinkney (guitar), Robbie Shakespear, Dean Fraser, Nambo Robinson, and members of the Black Soil Band (backing band for Tarrus Riley). Besides that they've also engaged harmony singers like Nikki Burt, Sherida Smith and Althea Hamilton. All tracks were recorded at Jimmy Cliff's studio (Sun Power Productions) in Kingston, Jamaica.

The album kicks off in fine, very familiar style with the Skelly sung "My Master's Will", with the more ruff sounding vocal delivery of Skelly contrasting well with the sweetness of Wiss' voice heard in the next song, the matching "Dig Up The Ground". As usual both vocalists sing the tracks featured on the album alternately, which has proven to be a good formula as it brings in some variety in their albums. Most of the tracks are quality musical efforts, delivered in a way their fans are so familiar with and respect them for. As already pointed out this doesn't go for "Original Gangster", and also "New York City" (the place where Skelly and Wiss are still living) with its country blues style riddim and the Mento flavoured "Cantankerous" can't be placed amongst the best tracks of this collection. Remarkable to say the least is the do-over of the famous "Bad Intention", which appeared in 1976 on the flipside of the "Why Worry" single. This song never appeared on an album before.

The CD comes in a lovely made digipak with an extra 16-page booklet with the printed lyrics.

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[gregdu29400]

Big up for Skelly and Wiss and Apple Gabriel ;)

[sizzla123]

riddim a tuff!

much love to the IVibe bredrin

[killgacek]

BIG TUUUUUNE!!!!!!!!!

[MrGPlanter]

nice song