14 years ago I was handed a CD by a
friend. He said something along the lines of “You have to check
this out, I think you'll like it.” There have been many times in
the past where I heard new music through friends. Especially when it
comes to a time period that was a decade plus ago. The CD that was
handed to me was “Inna City Pressure” by Dr. Israel. I am always
willing to give new music a shot. The moment that I sat down in the
drivers seat this particular disc made its way into my car stereo.
The A Capella opening of “Inna City Pressure” segued into the
track “Pressure” and from that moment, I was hooked. This album
is the combination of everything that I love about music. It is
Reggae, it is Dub, it is Hip-Hop, it is Punk, it is Drum and Bass,
and it is so much more. “Inna City Pressure” is one of the albums
that expanded my young mind to understand that music is just that:
Music. There are no are barriers in this art and it solidified the
idea that music should be so much more than crammed into a small tin
as if it were to be consumed like a canned ham. This type of music;
the kind that excites the imagination and moves beyond the
classification of what art is. For me it is on a list of albums and
artists such as The Clash, David Byrne's “Feelings,” and Peter
Gabriel.
Fast forward 14 years Dr. Israel is
still excites my imagination with his newest EP “Ghetto Defendant.”
An EP that includes a new take on The Clash's “Ghetto Defendant,”
an appearance by Killah Priest, and mixes by Bill Lawrence. This EP
fulfills the promise I heard those years ago on “Inna City
Pressure.” Dr. Israel has taken his vision of what Reggae and Dub
should sound like and then moves it into the 21st century.
A sound that is not for just Deadheads, Rastas, or the derivative
swill of Sean Kingstion (or worse, Shaggy.). It is vibrant and of its
time. Dr. Israel has taken the message of love and revolution that is
important to Marley, Tosh, and Wailer. He has taken full advantage of
the sounds that were inspired by reggae; Dub, Hip-Hop, Punk, and
Techno. Creating the soundtrack of a post-apocalyptic urban jungle.
It is true that the description of the
music that appears on this EP (along with previous releases) be
called Brooklyn Dub, a term that is plastered upon that is upon his
website. A sound that has mixed up everything that makes up Brooklyn;
past, present, and future. Sounds that are as much Hip-Hop, the
diversity of the various neighborhoods, cultures, heritage as well as
Punk. Dr. Israel bridges the gaps that seem to be segmented by
musical lines. There is the retelling of The Clash classic “Ghetto
Defendant” that opens the album and a new story of the streets
unfolds with each track. From that point there is no letting up and
in each song you can hear the steam rising from the streets. It is
the sound of New York. With “Ghetto Defendant” no longer is the
saxophone synonymous with New York. The new sound comes from the
fierce movement of beat. A beat that gives the imagination a scenery
of this post-apocalyptic character saving the city, humanity, love,
and creativity.
When listening to a new work I have to
admit that I am not to concerned with whether or not the album has a
greater theme to it. There is more of an exploration in finding out
if the music is good, great, or pushes the edges of what an artist
can do. Pushing the edges is exactly what Dr. Israel has done with
this EP. Much like the first time I heard “Inna City Pressure,”
he pushes the edge of where music can go. The first time for me, and
being a self proclaimed Metal-head, was hearing the song “The
Doctor vs The Wizard.” Taking the riffs from Black Sabbath and
mixing them with Dub, Reggae, Dancehall, and Drum and Bass. “Ghetto
Defendant” is the expansion of this from an artist that has
broadened his range and has matured in a way that artists should.
Maturing into a voice that pushes the fringe of what we know as
music.
Dr. Israel digs deeply into the heart
of what is happening on a street level. A street level that is
unacceptable to anyone that sees injustice in our world. It does not
matter if you are from the streets of Brooklyn, Trenchtown,
religiously divided countries, or the suburbs of the world. There is
the message of love and that we as humans can rise above a certain
machinery that is set in place. That we as people can concur with
love and creativity. A message that has been proven time and time
again, but in the times that seem to be dragging us down are the
words and beats that need to be heard. “Ghetto Defendant” needs
to be heard.
Download for free at Dr. Israel dot net
