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Written by Glenn BurnSilver
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Wednesday, 13 September 2006 |
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Several years ago I had what seemed like an out-of-body experience. Interestingly enough, it was at an Israel Vibration concert. When I think about it, that makes sense. The three founding members of Israel Vibration all have polio, walk with crutches, and yet during their performance are moved to dance about unaided on spindly legs. Music transports them, so why not others?
Music also transported the trio from a state-run polio rehabilitation center in Jamaica, and later the streets of Kingston, to worldwide status as one of the premier reggae acts today.
The three, Lacelle “Wiss” Bulgin, Albert “Apple” Craig and Cecil “Skelly’ Spence, have enough strength to not only get up on stage and dance, but to risk hardship to follow their hearts. The first test was when they converted to Rastafarianism and grew dreadlocks. The hospital administrators drew a proverbial line in the sand: renounce Jah and cut the dreads, or leave.
They choose the latter.
“In the institution, we was like in our own appearance of religion and it wasn’t accepted at that time,” Spence explained by phone from his tour bus. “I was born — it was an in-born thing—you just to have to follow it, you know? At that time, I was Rastafari just like any other young Jamaican who at that time was Rastafari and had been through great tribulation.”
For I-Vibe, as the band is often called, a new period of tribulation began almost immediately. With no money and nowhere to call home, they slept in fields and under trees at night, spending their days singing on street corners for change. It was difficult, Spence recalled, but was part of God’s plan.
“You need perseverance and some times things along the way in life that you and me not know what up in the future,” he said. “You keep on moving on.”
Good fortune would eventually find the band heading into the studio with famed producer Tommy Cowan to cut what is now a signature tune, “Same Song.” This attracted Bob Marley, who invited Israel Vibration to record at Tuff Gong Studios utilizing the Wailers band. The resulting album, “Unconquered People,” has a deep-roots sound wrapped in a loose, comfortable feel that spiritually belies the album name and attitude of three singers out to prove they cannot be held back by something like polio.
Currently, I-Vibe operates as a duo, with Craig opting out for a solo career. That hasn’t changed the vibe, if you will, as their spiritually uplifting roots-reggae music reflects their success of overcoming the physical effects of polio, the life of the downtrodden in Jamaica, but also cast a critical eye on the dire issues facing the world today—namely war.
“We just try to keep putting lyrics with a message that other people can relate too,” Spence said. “Israel Vibration finds itself a messenger.”
Friday, Sept. 15
Aggie Theatre
121 S. College Ave., Fort Collins
482.8300
$22.50, Doors 8 p.m.; Show 9 p.m., 21+
the marley
connection
Israel Vibration was invited to record at Bob Marley’s Tough Gong Studios. Cecil “Skelly” Spence remembered being flattered. “Bob’s comment was that this was the type of music he want to hear in the studio. So, like those were his kind words, so we set on the right track, you know.”
singing the same song, minus one
With Albert “Apple” Craig off making his own albums, has I-Vibe changed its approach at all?
“The only thing different is that his songs were three on the album, so I must write more songs for the album,” Spence said with a laugh. “I don’t see it really having any difficult effect on what we are doing.” | Only registered users can write comments.
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