On the Rock (Israel Vibration album)

Last updated
On the Rock
On the Rock (Israel Vibration album).jpg
Studio album by
Israel Vibration
Released1995
Genre Roots reggae
Label RAS [1]
Producer Israel Vibration, Doctor Dread
Israel Vibration chronology
I.V.D.U.B.
(1994)		On the Rock
(1995)		Dub the Rock
(1995)

On the Rock is an album by the Jamaican vocal trio Israel Vibration, released in 1995. [2] [3] It was nominated for a National Association of Independent Record Distributors Award. [4] The trio promoted the album with a North American tour. [5] [6] "Sugar Me" and "Rudeboy Shufflin" were released as singles. [7]

Contents

A dub version of the album, Dub the Rock, was released. [8] [9]

Production

The album was produced by the trio and Doctor Dread. [10] The three members each wrote four songs. [10] The Roots Radics Band backed Israel Vibration. [11] The title track is about the increase in the number of younger people sent to prison. [12] "Love Is All You Need" interprets the Beatles song. [13] Polio survivors, the trio display their mobility aids on the album cover. [14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch deemed On the Rock "another uncompromising and exceptional disc of modern roots reggae." [10] The Gazette determined that the album "not only conjures up the conscious Marley vibe, it is a thing of beauty against great odds." [15]

The Times Colonist concluded that, "like Marley, Israel Vibration are sweet prophets of doom and transcendence, and On the Rock is a reminder of reggae's powers to challenge, transform and inspire." [16] The Boston Globe opined: "An outstanding disc, it consciously echoes a Bob Marley vibe as snatches of his lyrics rise up from within the deep reggae grooves." [12]

AllMusic called the album "music with soul, thought provoking and totally satisfying." [11]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Mr. Consular Man" 
2."Ambush" 
3."Rebel for Real" 
4."Find Something to Do" 
5."Love Makes a Good Man" 
6."Brother's Keeper" 
7."Struggling Youth" 
8."Rudeboy Shufflin" 
9."Love Is All You Need" 
10."Borderline" 
11."Sugar Me" 
12."On the Rock" 

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References

  1. ↑ "Israel Vibration 'Jericho' Ras". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  2. ↑ "Israel Vibration Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ Tanzilo, Robert (17 Mar 1995). "Reggae trio". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 14E.
  4. ↑ "NAIRD's '95 Indie Award nominees". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 19. May 11, 1996. p. 50.
  5. ↑ Oumano, Elena (Jul 6, 1996). "Reggae it's more than the riddim". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 27. p. 37.
  6. ↑ Reger, Rick (12 July 1996). "Israel Vibration and the Roots Radics". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
  7. ↑ Logan, Neill (15 Aug 1996). "Devotion drives beat of Israel Vibration". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2B.
  8. ↑ Thompson, Dave (June 15, 2002). Reggae & Caribbean Music. Hal Leonard Corporation.
  9. ↑ Nazareth, Errol (November 17, 1995). "Roots Rock Reggae". Entertainment. Toronto Sun. p. 84.
  10. 1 2 3 Professor Skank (24 Mar 1995). "Recordings". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 6E.
  11. 1 2 3 "Israel Vibration On the Rock". AllMusic.
  12. 1 2 Cawley, Jimmy (7 Sep 1995). "Israel Vibration On the Rock". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 17.
  13. ↑ "All for One, One for All". The Times-Picayune. February 23, 1996. p. L7.
  14. ↑ "It's those good vibrations". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. July 11, 1996. p. 8.
  15. ↑ Feist, Daniel (25 Mar 1995). "Israel Vibration On the Rock". The Gazette. Montreal. p. F7.
  16. ↑ Blake, Joseph (11 May 1995). "On the Rock Israel Vibration". News. Time Colonist. p. 1.
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