FORMED in 1975 at Handsworth School in Birmingham, Steel Pulse is the UK’s most highly-regarded roots reggae outfit. The group is here its first Rebel Salute appearance, following several performances on local stages such as Reggae Sunsplash, Sumfest, East Fest and Superjam. Another first for the David Hinds-led aggregation is it’s presently recording an album at the international Tuff Gong Recording Studio in Kingston.

Speaking to the Observer on the eve of Rebel Salute, on which Steel Pulse is the headliner, keyboardist/vocalist Selwyn Brown promised that patrons will experience a twinning of old and new stuff.

“At Rebel Salute we’re going to mix up some of the old songs with the new ones. But we’re going give them more of the old ones because that what they used to from back in the day.” This was the assurance given by the musician who is featured on some of the group’s greatest hits like Babylon the Bandit, Handsworth Revolution, Steppin Out, Earth Crisis and New World Order, to name a few.

In keeping with the spirit of the Rebel Salute brand, he also shared his concerns about the state of the music as he sees it. “Reggae is a music that is always evolving,” Brown noted. “There is nothing wrong with it taking a new direction musically. But what happened is that lyrically, some artistes started to talk about things that wasn’t relevant to the upliftment of the people.”

On a more positive note, the artiste, whose band is renowned for a brand of music that conveys hope, education and activism, cited that all is not lost, as with recent developments some conscious artistes have demonstrated that the music has not lost its redeeming quality.

“Now there are some artistes, even in the dancehall circle that’s putting out more positive messages especially for the youths. It’s very important that as adults (including the radio stations and the deejays) we realise that we have a responsibility. The music is very powerful … and if we love the youth we have to give them something for their minds that’s more spiritual that can uplift them rather than telling them foolishness,” he said.

In referring to the upcoming album, Brown, who like most members of the band was born in England by Jamaican parents, explained: “This is the first album we’ve done at Tuff Gong. The only other album we recorded in Jamaica was the Vex album 1994.”

This will be the group’s 12th studio album. The last album, African Holocaust, was released in 2004, so it’s a special project. “It’s been a while since we released an album. This will be our 12th studio album, but we also have two live albums and there are several compilations,” the multifaceted entertainer said.

That in itself explained the ever-expanding fan base of Steel Pulse.

“As a matter of fact, the audience seems to be growing all the time. We do a lot of shows in the US, but there are places outside of the US, like Africa, especially West Africa … Europe, especially in places like France, Holland and Germany where they still like the old-school roots reggae. Then you can’t forget the West Indies, the Caribbean, there are several islands in the Caribbean we have played and we’re popular down there as well,” Brown explained.

Interestingly enough, although Steel Pulse who in the earlier years aligned themselves with the Rock Against Racism organisation and was sympathetic to elements of the British punk movement, has a wider following outside of the UK.

“We hardly do any shows in the UK because we’re more popular outside. Within two days after we leave Jamaica, we’ll be flying straight to New Zealand and Australia because we’ve a tour down there as well,” he explained.

Rebel Salute takes place tonight at Port Kaiser Sports Club, St Elizabeth and features Tony Rebel, Barrington Levy, Jah Cure, Capleton, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Admiral Tibet, Freddie McGregor, Etana, Alaine, Richie Spice, I-Octane, Jah Mason, Singing Melody, I-Wayne, Gramps Morgan, Khago, Brown Sugar, Noddy Virtue, Princess Tia, Omari, Iley Dread and many others.