Orthodox Isachar

Spirituality comes alive on Great And Marvellous, the new album from Twelve Tribe Rastafarian singer, Orthodox Isachar, who is brother to popular industry record producer and singer Colin "Iley Dread" Levy.

Rastafarians worldwide will appreciate the highly religious music of Isachar's new set, a full-length recording which should guarantee European tours for the entertainer. But it is not only Rastas and Europe's discerning reggae fans who will see Great And Marvellous as a must-have; roots music lovers are in for a treat with this well-produced set.

Isachar, who traverses between Canada and a home in Ghana, might just be launching out commercially. However, the soft-spoken singer has been a consistent performer at Twelve Tribe functions for some time now. He has already performed at events held throughout the United States, London and New Zealand.

"I had been comfortable performing within the Twelve Tribe organisation, but the time gave me the opportunity to study the Bible so the scriptures could be manifested in my music," he told Throb.

Isachar and his brother have been operating a successful restaurant and nightclub business in Montreal, where Isachar has been doing duty as an on-stage performer since 1980. He recently came to the island to launch his debut album.

The album appears on the Orthodox Muzik label, operated by songwriter Sangie Davis, who is responsible for penning major hits for several reggae acts including reggae king Bob Marley and reggae queen Marcia Griffiths. It was Davis who also penned Sophia George's breakout hit, Girlie Girlie.

Judging from Isachar's new album, Davis is clearly bringing his extensive experience and expertise to bear on the new music emerging on the revived Orthodox Muzik label.

When the Rasta singer opens the new CD with "greetings in the name of Jesus Christ who has revealed himself through the personality of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie", it is not a ploy to capture the legion of new-age pilgrims fuelling the current Rasta music trend.

Orthodox Isachar has been walking the walk since the 1980s, when he accepted the Twelve Tribes of Israel doctrine and was embraced into the faith an integral brethren. "The Twelve Tribe brotherhood is a musical house. Being associated with Twelve Tribe helped me to see myself ... to use the spiritual food to guide me as a musician," he said.

Great And Marvelous is a feast of Rasta odes and lamentations that is raw, real and unapologetic. Devoid of pretence, the work ably captures the essence of Orthodox worship, even while maintaining its contemporary edge.

Rich background vocals propel each track, and the sounds are crisp, clean and 'phat'. Infrequently employed instruments like the piccolo and flute complement the more direct wind instrumentation of Dean Fraser, Nambo Robinson, David Madden and other horns-men. The rhythms are handled by the Twelve Tribes Band and the Firehouse Crew.

Warnings of imminent judgment ring out on We Are Called, a semi-chant boasting shades of Nyabinghi music and conjuring images of a drum ritual. Trust In The Lord is taken straight from the book of Revelation, interpreting Biblical prophesies that speak of apocalyptic demise for the unrighteous.

In tribute to Twelve Tribe founder, Dr Vernon Carrington, Isachar croons a stirring testimony on Prophet Gad, a ska number borrowing from a rock n' roll melody.

On Shashamane Land, he sings in praise of the small town located in the Shewa Province of Ethiopia, the place given to blacks in the Diaspora in 1955 by Emperor Haile Selassie.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel will be staging a concert at its Hope Road headquarters on November 20, which will benefit the development of the 500 hectares donated by Selassie. The first member of Twelve Tribe to repatriate to the land was sent by the organisation in 1972. His airline ticket was purchased by the organisation, and he was also given an allowance.

At present, over 30 Twelve Tribe adults are living in Shashamani with over 100 children. A school and community centre have already been constructed and a woodwork shop erected. New houses have been built and there are other homes under construction.

The mode of transportation for repatriation is sang about by Isachar on the track Swift Beast, a vision in song that sees Africans returning home by way of beasts of burden.

While religion is dominant on the album, affairs of the heart come in for attention on Save A Little Love, a plea for intimacy and feminine emotional support.

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