The vocal trio of Cecil Spence ("Skelly"), Albert Craig ("Apple Gabriel"), and Lascelle Bulgin ("Wiss") is one of the finest roots groups in Jamaica's History. The met as children at Kingston's Mona Rehabilitation Clinic, all three of them being afflicted by Poliomyelitis (Polio). They spent the first six years of their career singing for their suppers, and by 1975 Israel Vibration was a vocal force to be reckoned with. Even though their first professional recording ("Bad Intention", produced by Ernest Hookim) never saw release, the producer U-Booth recorded the Singles "Why Worry" and a new version of "Bad Intention" at Treasure Isle Studio a year later. Now the trio found themselves on stage opening for the likes of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown.

In 1977, Israel Vibration began work on their debut album, "The Same Song", with producer Thomas Cowan. This album was soon known as one of the most exciting debuts of the roots era, boasting the cream of Jamaican musicians backing the vocal trio, including Sly & Robbie, Augustus Pablo, Mikey Chung and Ansel Collins. During production, it was important that the all-star cast never overwhelmed the vocalists because of their vocal vulnerability. The group's actual physical disabilities just made their styling all the more poignant. Even if the album never had that melancholy quality of The Abyssinians, nor the righteousness and fire of Burning Spear or Black Uhuru, it were the Rastafarian themes and the trio's obvious religious devotion which made this such a cultural classic.

Israel Vibration still remains popular internationally today, guaranteeing powerful live performances still fully committed to the Rastafarian way of life. After the group broke up in 1983 and reunited in 1988, the group released several strong albums, and will no doubt continue to do so.

The most notable songs on this release are "Why Worry", "The Same Song", "Prophet Has Arise" and "Licks & Kicks", ranking among the best tracks of the trio. This album is definitely worth to buy, for being one of the all-time roots classics.


(Last edit: 2008, Mar 05, SB, Reggae-Shack)