Israel Vibration at Reggaeland 2009: the Jamaican roots-reggae band’s first Polish concert

We are proud and delighted to announce that, at LIONSTAGE Management's invitation, legendary Israel Vibration first visited Poland on 10 July 2009. At Reggaeland in Płock, they gave their first concert in our country.

When discussing Israel Vibration's place in reggae, it is impossible not to mention the warmth of recognition and appreciation from everyone who has ever heard this exceptional vocal group. The positive vibrations radiating from their music have captivated music critics and DJs for more than two decades. The group combine harmonious musical charm, swaying traditional roots reggae and a fascinating sound with a deeply spiritual message.

The vocal trio of Cecil “Skeleton” Spence, Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig and Lascelle “Wiss” Bulgin received a very harsh lesson from life. Their path led through adversity, illness and poverty. Those experiences undoubtedly helped make them one of Jamaica’s finest roots groups. All three had polio and first met at Kingston’s Mona Rehabilitation Center, where they had been placed because they needed specialist medical care and their families could not afford private treatment.

They quickly learnt how important it was to keep developing their abilities in order to survive, because polio is a disease that causes disability. Yet they never allowed their physical impairments to overcome their willpower, determination or creativity. They found strength in Rasta philosophy and the teachings of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, which inspired them to compose and sing songs expressing their deep spiritual devotion.

Their beliefs and approach to difficulties led to their expulsion from the Mona Rehabilitation Center. They found solace and peace in music, earning the support of their local community and enabling their musical career to develop. They began recording in 1976 with the hit Same Song, licensed by EMI, which brought them international recognition. Their career seemed to be progressing, but, like many Jamaican artists, Israel Vibrations fell victim to the music piracy then ravaging Jamaica’s music industry. The band also performed relatively infrequently. In 1983, they suspended their activities and emigrated to the United States, seeking better medical care and opportunities to begin solo projects.

In 1988, the musicians asked Doctor Dread, president and founder of RAS Records, for his opinion on their solo projects. Dr. Dread, who valued Israel Vibrations for their unique, authentic sound, responded with words from a Marcus Garvey speech, saying “strength in unity”, and strongly recommended that they reunite. They accepted, and the rest of the story is a beautiful collaboration that produced Strenght Of My Life and subsequent albums Praises, Forever, Vibes Alive, IV, On The Rock and Free to Move, alongside several dub records.

On The Rock and the following album, Free To Move, marked their career’s peak, reaching number one on the CMJ New World Charts. Pay the Piper, released in 1999, proved some of the strongest lyrical material for which Skelly and Wiss are known, while its promotional video, “Hard Road”, was shown in 3,900 Blockbuster video stores in January 2000. In 1997, Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig left the band and began his solo career; Skelly and Wiss have performed as a duo ever since.

Their album Jericho, released on 16 May 2000, is undoubtedly their greatest achievement of recent years, made with the finest Jamaican musicians and sound engineers. In every lyric, Skelly and Wiss sincerely express a universal spiritual message flowing from deep within the heart. Throughout this time, the group have continued touring, visiting Europe, the United States and even Asia.

Always connected with Roots Radics, here strengthened by Sly Dunbar, Israel Vibrations gave us another gem. After a 5-year absence from the studio, they released ‘Stamina’ in 2007.

Their lyrics are always conscious and committed, fitting perfectly with Roots Radics’ rhythmic roots section. Female backing singers add further colour: the same vocalists who accompanied Burning Spear in the 1990s.

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