Cecil Spence, Albert Craig and Lascelle Bulgin became one of the finest groups in Jamaica’s history – Israel Vibration – after overcoming adversity, poverty and illness. The trio’s lesson in fortitude began in the late 1950s when they were three young victims of the polio epidemic that struck Jamaica.
Cecil (1952-2022), Albert (1955–2020) and Lascelle (born 1955) met each other at the Mona Rehabilitation Centre in Kingston, a government institution for young polio patients whose families could not afford medical care. They all shared a passion for music, which was what brought them together throughout the years, even if they moved to different institutions and crossed paths occasionally.
Albert Craig, known as “Apple”, attended the Alpha Cottage School, which was famous for its musical training. But he found the atmosphere rigid and oppressive and ran away at the age of 14 into a life of homelessness and poverty.
Cecil Spence, nicknamed “Skelly”, played in a band and even appeared on national television at the age of 12. Despite the physical disability, he was a good athlete, and during his teenage years, he was selected for the Jamaican Wheelchair Basketball team. But he was expelled as soon as he converted to Rastafarianism in 1969.
Music and faith led Albert and Cecil to Lascelle “Wiss” Bulgin, who worked as a tailor in Kingston. They started singing for money in the streets, and six years later, in 1975, they finally got the chance to record a single called “Bad Intention”. But the track, which was produced by Ernest Hookim, was never released.
The trio did not give up, and one year later, they were able to record “Why Worry” and a new version of “Bad Intention” at Treasure Isle studio with producer U- Booth. Their great sound, lyrics and personalities made an immediate impression and Israel Vibration found themselves opening the concerts of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown – among others.
By 1979, Israel Vibration had released powerful hit albums like “The Same Song” and “Unconquering People”, was signed to the British EMI subsidiary Harvest, and was the phenomenon of Reggae Sunsplash.
The trio tried recording an album with legendary dancehall producer Henry Junjo Lawes in 1981, but were unsatisfied and walked out before the sessions were complete.
Following another unforgettable performance at the 1982 Reggae Sunsplash, Israel Vibration relocated to New York City. Cecil, Albert and Lascelle thought that their harmony roots style could not have a future in Jamaica, where dancehall reigned supreme in the early 1980s. But things didn’t go as they hoped, and for some time they attempted solo careers.
The group reformed in 1987 and was signed by Doctor Dread to the RAS label. One year later, Israel Vibration released the vibrant “Strength of My Life” with the support of the Roots Radics. The trio released many powerful albums throughout the 1990s, including Praises, Israel Dub, Forever, Vibes Alive, IV and On the Rock.
While Israel Vibration had been recording and performing steadily since the re-grouping 10 years earlier, Albert Craig decided to pursue a solo career in 1997, releasing one album. Cecil Spence and Lascelle Bulgin continued as a duo, with live performances around the world and releasing albums like Pay the Piper and Jericho. Both Craig and Spence had health problems in recent years, and died respectively in March 2020 and August 2022.
Since its foundation, Israel Vibration carved a secure niche out of what seemed an impenetrable surface. The trio will be remembered for the devotional songs, inspirational lyrics, powerful performances, and original take on the roots style.
Sources:
Jo-Ann Greene on allmusic.com
encyclopedia.com
Photo Credits: rototomsunsplash.com and Brian Jahn blessingsallover.wordpress.com
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