Description
Traditional Jamaican ska has always had a strong following in Southern California, and for the past 10 years THE ISRAELITES have been writing, performing, and promoting this music to legions of fans—perfecting their style with this new album appropriately titled “Roots”. One quick listen will prove that these cats really do know their roots: The Skatalites, Wailers, Toots & The Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Derrick Morgan, Lee Perry & The Upsetters. Trojan Records. Coxsone Dodd. Island Records. Scorching Jamaican jazz-ska instrumentals, heavy rock steady, and organ drenched reggae. Two previous albums on the band¹s own Kingdom Beat label (“Washaway” 1995, “Jamaican Persuasion” 1998) plus appearances on “³Freedom Sounds Vol 1”, “Authentic Sounds”, & “West Coast Chronicles Vol 1” compilations have established THE ISRAELITES as part of a solid California trad-ska scene that has included the Steady Ups, Bluebeat Stompers, Allentons, Mobtown, Hepcat, Dynamic Pressure….and later the Rhythm Doctors, Dub Street Rockers, and Vessels. With a spiritual message that harks back to the earliest ska sides, and production by J Bonner—known for re-creating minimal Jamaican studio tracking magic—you¹d swear that these tracks were lost 45s from an old Studio One DJ tired of the Sound System battles! All in all, ³ROOTS² is a fantastic tribute to ska music¹s humble beginnings—a must for fans of classic Jamaican music. Period.
For Fans of: Hepcat, Skatalites, Slackers, Rhythm Doctors, Deal¹s Gone Bad, Toots & The Maytals,
