IV

"IV" JUST HAPPENS TO BE THEIR FOURTH RELEASE UNDER THE RAS RECORDS LABEL. TO ME, THIS IS THEIR MOST PERSONAL WORK. THE TOPICS OF THEIR SONGS RANGE FROM POVERTY (YOU NEVER KNOW), TO RACIAL ISSUES (RACIAL INJUSTICE), TO GIVING THANKS TO JAH FOR HAVING THEM REACH TO THE POINT THAT THEY ARE (THANK YOU JAH). THIS ALBUM DELIVERS NOTHING BUT STRICTLY ROOTS REGGAE MUSIC. YOU CAN FEEL THE MILITANCY IN "NAW GIVE UP THE FIGHT", THE JAZINESS (IF THAT'S A WORD) IN "RUN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE", AND THE EMOTION IN "FALLING ANGELS", THOUGH ALL OF THE SONGS ARE EMOTIONAL IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. THOSE JUST HAPPEN TO BE MY THREE PERSONAL FAVORITE SONGS FROM THE ALBUM. HOWEVER, EVERY SONG IS GREAT. YOU WILL APPRECIATE THE VERSITALITY OF MUSIC AFTER LISTENING TO "REGGAE ROCK AND ROLL." IT'S REGGAE, BUT THE ADDED SPICE FROM THE ELECTRIC GUITAR GIVES IT A ROCK AND ROLL FEEL. "HARD TIMES" IS PERHAPS THE MOST EMOTIONAL SONG ON THE ALBUM. "BABYLON BY BUS" AND "RACIAL INJUSTICE" BOTH HAVE SKA RHYTHMS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ISRAEL VIBRATION USED SUCH RHYTHMS. ALL IN ALL, THIS ALBUM IS GREAT, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER ISRAEL VIBRATION'S ALBUMS. IT'S AMAZING HOW THEY STICK TO THEIR ROOTS AND CONSCIOUSNESS THEMES. THIS ALBUM IS GUARANTEED TO SATISFY.

I don't get it. I see all the raves for all of the other "Vibes" albums, and they [the other CDs] are weak in the light of the rich tapestry or roots reggae.THIS... This is there best album! It's original in its' genre, it's real and sincere, and it's fun. If you want an album that best captures this great band, this is it. In fact, the only other song of theirs that I would pursue would be the title track of "Strength of My Life" - An iconic devotional to Jah on the same order as Bob's "Redemption Song".Sure the Vibe's other albums have some okay stuff (they were always best live), but there are better places to spend your money. Get this one and move on.

Douglas.....you are straight trippin' buddy