Joseph Israel's first album Gone Are the Days recorded at the studios of Tuff Gong and Bobby Digital consists mainly of original material. The single from the album is called Ruff Times.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Israel spent most of his life in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and has been coming to Jamaica since he was 13 with his parents who in the 1970s were frequent visitors to the island.

"My mom's parents had a house in Montego Bay, my dad was coming here and just love staying up in the hills and in Negril. His brother, my uncle Steve, was the one who really observed the Rasta vibration, and as a youth, he would always tell me about Jamaica and the Rastafari way of life, reading the Bible with an open mind, Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie," explained Israel.

He once had his own band, Kepha, but with the disbanding of that outfit, he formed the Lion of Israel Band (named after his production company). Israel turned his attention to message music which he feels is very important in this time.

"We're real lions in this time, because the lion in this time represents justice and strength of character. And when I traced way back, I found out that Israel was not a name that man choose, it was a name the Father gave to Jacob, and said you are no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, because you have strived for your blessings."

"The message is what has to be said in these times to free the people mentally and physically, y'know, because there are a lot of hunger and starvation on both levels. It's about healing the broken hearts, its about bringing joy and comfort to the people. That's what brings me joy in the music," Joseph Israel said.

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