ISRAEL VIBRATION
Free To Move
(Ras)

This originally ran in Reggae Report in 1996.

Since its fruitful relationship with Ras Records commenced in 1988, Israel Vibration has continued to produce records of the highest caliber, due in large part to its unique, winning formula. For starters, each disc has contained the superb musicianship of the incomparable Roots Radics, but more importantly, each release has continued to have an equal distribution of compositions from each of the three members, Lacelle "Wiss" Bulgin, Albert "Apple" Craig and Cecil "Skelly" Spence.

Think about it for a moment. Instead of things getting stale because of a songwriter's inability in composing quality songs over an entire album, Israel Vibration has three extremely talented - and I mean EXTREMELY talented - singer/songwriters who are only asked to deliver three or (since last year's "On The Rock") four songs to each release.

Wiss, Apple and Skelly thus get to fine-tune their creations with the results once again being outstanding. It's hard to believe this group could surpass its last release, but it truly has. Beginning with Wiss and his track "Terrorist," 'Free To Move' is the best album of the year, hands down; a 55 minute tour de force of modern roots reggae guaranteed to blow you away.

Each of the 12 tracks contain righteous lyrics, sincere vocals, trademark harmonies and relentless, offbeat rhythms. Even with the plethora of strong songs, the two absolute standouts are “Mud Up” and “Livity In The Hood.” Crucial Rasta!

With "Free To Move" (a reference to the trio after its long-standing problems with immigration), Israel Vibration proves beyond a doubt that it remains one of the world's greatest reggae groups, and with the year 2000 right around the corner, it's obvious that The Vibes are taking modern roots - with a vengeance - into the 21st century.






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