Bearing The Roots Rock Torch
Israel Vibration At The Orpheum Theater
by Dean “Didn’t Italy Totally Kick Ethiopia’s ASS in 1935?” Bonzani
6-13-04
Gather ‘round, and hear the tale of three soldiers of Jah.
It starts long ago, in the 1950’s, when a shipment of used clothing arrived in Jamaica from England. This fateful lot of clothes, meant for the poor, was riddled with polio virus, and soon the entire island of Jamaica was subject to an epidemic of polio, a disease which affects the central nervous system, causing muscle atrophy and often death.
As much of the island’s population was of scant means, many parents couldn’t afford the special care required to raise children stricken with the terrible disease, and gave them over to the care of rehabilitation centers like the Mona Rehabilitation Clinic, at the edge of Kingston. It was here that three such children, Lacelle “Wiss” Bulgin, Albert “Apple” Craig, and Cecil “Skelly” Spence met.
The boys’ partial paralysis meant long hours in the clinic with nothing much to do. They became interested in the musical instruments that lay around the clinic, particularly the piano, and they set about teaching themselves how to play them, much in the fashion of early jazz musicians, who picked up the discarded instruments of the civil war, and at the age of ten, Apple wrote his first song at the piano. As the three grew into teenagers, they developed a fond friendship and musical fellowship, singing harmonies for hours on end in the tedious and often abusive confines of the clinic and its grounds. Subject to cruel experimental treatments for their conditions, the three boys drew strength from each others’ company, and from the teachings of Rastafarianism, which they were first exposed to when they met a Rasta elder named Baba Douse, who taught them about Emperor Haile Selassie I, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God and King of the Kings of Ethiopia. The teenagers grew natty dreads, and preached the word of Jah Rastafari, which promptly got them booted out of the clinic. The three spent time in a number of other clinics, until they were shut out of the system entirely in 1969, and took to life in the bush.
Homeless, they slept beneath trees and sang for alms, often going hungry. Outcast from a system made for cast-offs, their spirituality and music sustained them during this difficult time spent hanging out, smoking ganja and singing beautiful three-part harmonies that would become their trademark vocal sound. People passing by would stop to listen, forming the group’s first audiences. For six hard years, the three lived the ascetic life. Then, in 1975, Hugh Booth, from The Twelve Tribes of Israel, a Rasta sect, took interest in the group’s music, funding the recording of their first hit, “Why Worry” (1976), with money from the church. The song was a success, gaining the praise of reggae stars like Bob Marley, who counted Israel Vibration as one of his favorite acts. Famed reggae producer Tommy Cowan caught wind of I.V., and funded/produced a string of hit recordings. Success was only surface deep, however, as the boys ran afoul of the dirty dealings that were rampant in the Jamaican music scene’s shady business world.
After parting ways with Cowan, and doing a brief stint of recording with Bob Marley’s Tough Gong studios, where they were backed by members of the Wailers, Israel Vibration moved to New York City, to seek better quality medical care, and to pursue solo projects.
Settling into an urban life amongst their Jamaican brethren in Manhattan, the members of Is Vibe churned out a number of 45 rpm singles as solo artists, but the magic of their togetherness was missing.
It was at this point, in 1988, that Dr. Dread, President of Ras Records, convinced Apple, Skelly, and Wiss to reunite, and record for his company. Having met the three at Tough Gong, Dr. Dread had kept up with their music over the years, lending his professional criticism and encouragement. Under his stewardship, they recorded eleven albums, garnering critical praise and developing a well-deserved following before the departure of Apple in 1998. To date, the Israel Vibration catalogue boasts over 25 CD and DVD offerings.
Combined with backup band Roots Radics, a session band who have backed singers like Eek-a-Mouse, Barrington Levy, Michael Prophet, Wailing Souls, Yellowman, Frankie Paul, Cocoa Tea, Johnny Osbourne, Hugh Mundell, and Don Carlos, Israel Vibration is a solid branch of the reggae tree.
Skanking on crutches is no easy feat, but Skelly and Wise, despite their years, give an energetic and moving performance, singing songs of praise to Jah Rastafari in voices that sound like strange, shimmering sea creatures come ashore by moonlight at low tide to croon passionately to the stars.
_____________________________________________________________________
Israel Vibration with Roots Radics and special guests The Skanksters at The Orpheum Theater, Wed., June 23rd. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m.
©2005 by Dean Bonzani, All Rights Reserved