The Israelites

Item: Montego Bay (The Jamaican Persuasion)
Author: Tony LaFianza

Montego Bay (The Jamaican Persuasion)

(1998)

Reviewed by Tony LaFianza

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Label Kingston BeatThe Phantom Tollbooth1999

reggae ska

Ska music is very popular now, but most of the kids listening to the Supertones, Insyderz, and Five Iron Frenzy don't know the history of this music, that there is another kind of ska music out there without the punk influence and the big distorted guitars. It is the predecessor of "third wave ska" and "2 tone ska." It is more influenced by "rock steady reggae." It's called "traditional ska" in the vein of Skatalites, Desmond Dekker, Ocean 11, and now The Israelites.

The message of this eight member band is clear from the first cut, "12 Tribes," to the last song, "Redemption." These women and men are in love with Jesus Christ, and all about preaching the gospel. The message is uplifting and the beat is infectious, pushed by the all girl rhythm section of Jennifer Villarreal's rock steady drums, Ginger Reyes's beating bass, and Jackieblu Carlstedt behind keyboards. Guitars and vocals are skillfully handled by Rich Carlstedt, who also has written most of the original songs here. The horn section is Allen Trammel: tenor sax, Justin Berardino: alto sax, Fellipe Escamilla: trumpet and trombone, and guest Gabriel Sundy: on trombone. Jamaican front man Peter Trusty has a smooth, Caribbean quality to his relaxed vocals.

Although mostly young, white, and living in southern California, the Israelites have an impressively authentic sound. Misters Carlstedt, and Trusty have obviously studied the bands of the 60's Jamaican sound and have put together a fabulous reconstruction of those sounds. Irie!

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