Pay the Piper

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