Pay the Piper
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| Release Date: |
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| Label: |
Ras |
| Rating: |
5.0 |
Description: Once upon a time, three boys living in a home for polio-stricken youth in Kingston, Jamaica, ran away for the freedom of "bush living" and their dream of musical stardom. "Wiss," "Skelly," and "Apple" became Israel Vibration, a celebrated reggae harmony trio of the '70s that beautifully realized the form's electric synthesis of the sweet and the raw. Few artists can match the spiritual conviction edged by poignant yearning of early Israel tunes like "Friday Night" and "Give I Grace," from
Unconquered People (recorded on vinyl for Bob Marley's Tuff Gong label). Despite equal parsing out of lead vocal privileges, internal conflicts kept the group dormant during most of the '80s. They reunited toward the end of the decade, only to see Apple, the strongest vocalist and writer, depart. But it's not over until it's over, and this story's end is nowhere in sight. Israel Vibes, as they are fondly known, live, as this set attests. Seasoned by decades of performance and recording experience, yet bellies still afire, Wiss and Skelly step up to deliver one of the group's most captivating recordings in years, coating their scathing attacks on those darned bloodsucking Babylonian vampires with the honey of their signature harmonies and jaunty reggae and ska "jump-up" rhythms, as in the title track and "Exploitation." This one gets a figurative volley of gunshot salutes. Bo! Bo! Bo!
--Elena Oumano
Tracklist of Pay the Piper
Reviews:
A SOLID RELEASE FROM ISRAEL VIBES
I hate to say this, but I truly believe Israel is better off without Apple. Skelly and Wiss truly have the chemistry that is necessary to make quality roots reggae in this day and age. "Get Up And Go" is a very crucial track!
ISRAEL VIBRATION...AFTER THE DEPARTURE
"PAY THE PIPER" IS ISRAEL VIBRATION'S FIRST ALBUM SINCE THE DEPARTURE OF ALBERT "APPLE" CRAIG. WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THIS CD, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE BACKGROUND VOCALS ARE SLIGHTLY WEAKER, DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ALBERT CRAIG. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE ALBUM IS BAD, BECAUSE THIS ALBUM IS INDEED AMONG ISRAEL VIBRATION'S BEST. FROM START TO FINISH, THIS ALBUM WILL HAVE YOU BEGGING FOR MORE. ALL OF THE TRACKS ARE WORTH A 5 STAR RATING. "SYSTEMATICAL FRAUD" EASILY REMINDS US ABOUT HOW REGGAE USED TO SOUND BACK IN THE DAYS. AUGUSTUS PABLO DOES A GREAT JOB ON THIS TRACK. "SO MUCH YOUTHS" IS ONE OF THE JAZZIEST REGGAE TUNES YOU WILL EVER HEAR. "HARD ROAD" HAS A WICKED BASS LINE AND BEAT. BASICALLY, THIS IS TOP QUALITY MUSIC. THE LYRICS WON'T DISAPPOINT EITHER. EVEN THOUGH ALBERT CRAIG ISN'T PRESENT ON THIS ALBUM, ISRAEL VIBRATION STILL PRODUCES THE BEST ROOTS REGGAE HEARD IN THE WORLD TODAY. THIS ALBUM, ALONG WITH "UNCONQUERED PEOPLE", "FOREVER", "FREE TO MOVE", "JERICHO", AND "FIGHTING SOLDIERS" ARE AMONG MY FAVORITES. THIS ALBUM IS SURE TO SATISFY.
very dynamic reggae
This cd is so groovy, & the political lyrics are always vital. From the beginning of the cd with its floating planes of wordless vocals & the direct statement, "The system is a fraud," to the final "Give me love," this cd is very inspiring for dealing with life in the Babylon system. Their rhythmic & intellectual sense never ever misses.
