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]
| On the Rock | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1995 | |||
| Genre | Roots reggae | |||
| Label | RAS[1] | |||
| Producer | Israel Vibration, Doctor Dread | |||
| Israel Vibration chronology | ||||
| ||||
A dub version of the album, Dub the Rock, was released.[8][9]
Production edit
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 edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [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 edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
References edit
- ^ "Israel Vibration 'Jericho' Ras". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Israel Vibration Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Tanzilo, Robert (17 Mar 1995). "Reggae trio". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 14E.
- ^ "NAIRD's '95 Indie Award nominees". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 19. May 11, 1996. p. 50.
- ^ Oumano, Elena (Jul 6, 1996). "Reggae it's more than the riddim". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 27. p. 37.
- ^ Reger, Rick (12 July 1996). "Israel Vibration and the Roots Radics". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
- ^ Logan, Neill (15 Aug 1996). "Devotion drives beat of Israel Vibration". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2B.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (June 15, 2002). Reggae & Caribbean Music. Hal Leonard Corporation.
- ^ Nazareth, Errol (November 17, 1995). "Roots Rock Reggae". Entertainment. Toronto Sun. p. 84.
- ^ a b c Professor Skank (24 Mar 1995). "Recordings". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 6E.
- ^ a b c "Israel Vibration On the Rock". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Cawley, Jimmy (7 Sep 1995). "Israel Vibration On the Rock". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 17.
- ^ "All for One, One for All". The Times-Picayune. February 23, 1996. p. L7.
- ^ "It's those good vibrations". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. July 11, 1996. p. 8.
- ^ Feist, Daniel (25 Mar 1995). "Israel Vibration On the Rock". The Gazette. Montreal. p. F7.
- ^ Blake, Joseph (11 May 1995). "On the Rock Israel Vibration". News. Time Colonist. p. 1.