ISOULJAHS

Isouljahs is a USA home-grown reggae group on an independent label, out to make its second major statement, out to entertain and inspire and make us dance. Crucial Roots gives the band members a comfortable vehicle to do that, roomy enough to show off their instrumental licks, their flexibility within reggae sub-genres, their songwriting, their vocalizing, and their Rastafarian faith. They bring a couple of guests along too. Yes, the band is out to prove itself, and it does a fine job. With 17 titles listed, the album may look bloated, but when you discount two brief dialogues and one momentary touch of nyahbinghi, 14 actual songs remain. A couple are little more than extended grooves, but it all makes for a very pleasant round of "you-name-it-and-it’s-probably-there" reggae. Starting with the title track, a strong one-drop rhythm anchors a pleasant tune as a passable vocal dispenses vague Rasta pronouncements, all accented by a nice horn arrangement. The next song, Positive Life, picks up some of the lyrical clichés left unused, and adds an appealing keyboard riff. The following number tells us that “the truth is revealed.” So it goes. The highlight may be the tuneful, sprightly “Mr. Musik,” which is defined by old-fashioned ska-like horns and piano; the accompaniment is simple and the rhythm is strong. The dancehall-styled “Rasta Youth” is almost as good, with enthusiastic vocals alternating between singing and dj chatting over an active piano and organ background. “Greetings Bredda Pablo” is a melodica instrumental, an obviously sincere tribute to Augustus Pablo, and it is a real treat coming in the middle of the set. A nimble chat about the healing of the nation, “Green Herb,” is surprisingly effective over its subdued instrumental backing. What else? Well, a “freedom is a must” lyric; various dub effects, and an oddly fragile vocal to an unadorned nyahbinghi hymn. The album concludes with the instrumental “Ras Tai Chi,” an interesting concept given that its rockers rhythm moves a bit too fast for my perception of what Tai Chi is all about, although true enough it is repetitive and trance-like, lasting just over seven minutes. Overall, Isouljahs offers very pleasant reggae, from Rasta roots through to dancehall toasting. Not too much of it has not been done before, but that is not to deny the pleasure to be found here. And that’s about it. - Ted "The Boot" Boothroyd

ISOULJAHS is a reggae/roots group coming to us from Southern California. Now don’t think Long Beach Dub All-Stars or Sublime. ISOULJAHS is more in line with classic reggae acts like Bob Marley, Culture, and Burning Spear as well as influence from dancehall reggae such as Sizzla and Anthony B. The combination of the roots style and the dancehall/ ragga style creates a truly refreshing sound. Since I got my hands on this cd I haven’t stopped playing it - it’s pretty much been on steady rotation for a week now. You can give a check to the sound of ISOULJAHS in 411 #56 in the Matt Pailes/ Matt Rodriguez roomies section. This is a great soundtrack for the upcoming summer months to get the positive vibrations going - for more info check www.isouljahs.com - Shawn Z

O.C. Reggae Army…When the horns sound for combat, ISOULJAHS are ready to fire every time…on this night all praises went to Ras Youths International. ISOULJAHS performed songs from their new release – Kings Music – with absolute authority and command. ISOUJAHS‘ multi-cultural vibe was evident as they played songs of love, faith, and hope in RasTafari…ISOULJAHS have come to take the world by storm with their righteous artillery of rhyme and reason… Check them out live… - Roberto Angotti/ Carlos Culture

...ISOULJAHS and the RasYouths International crew also helped to get things going. They sound tighter and tighter each time we check for them. The way they fuse Augustus Pablo - style roots reggae with dancehall and rap is so wicked. - Eric Kohler/ Ireno Rodriguez