------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Hinds -- rhythm guitar, lead vocals Selwyn Brown -- keyboards, vocals Steve Nisbett -- drums ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steel Pulse may have explored various styles of music since they started out in 1975, but when it comes to the message, the U.K.'s Grammy-winning reggae band has remained close to their roots. Steel Pulse's third MCA release, Vex, solidifies their 19-year commitment to fighting injustice, educating the masses, and promoting positive messages through spiritually uplifting reggae music. Steel Pulse has always taken their causes to heart, last year filing a $1 million class-action lawsuit against New York City's Taxi & Limousine Commission. The group charged that cabbies refused to pick up blacks and Rastafarians throughout the streets of New York. Steel Pulse's international success has resulted in Grammy nominations for their last two albums, Victims and Rastafari Centennial, plus a collaboration with Spike Lee on the Do the Right Thing soundtrack in 1989 and guest spots on Arsenio Hall and most recently The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night With Conan O'Brien. In 1993, at the request of the Clinton Administration, Steel Pulse became the first reggae band ever to perform during the inaugural festivities in Washington, D.C. In 1994, the group headlined large-scale music events, including the U.S. Reggae Sunsplash Tour, JapanSplash and Northern California's Reggae on the River Festival, and embarked on a successful tour of South America. More commonly used in the British and Caribbean vocabulary, the term "vex," as in angry or irate, describes Steel Pulse's outlook on systems of oppression around the world. "A lot of people who've heard Vex have said, 'Yeah, this is the Steel Pulse that we used to know,' so I imagine we've captured the spirit of our old-time hit albums Handsworth Revolution, Earth Crisis, and True Democracy," said songwriter/lead vocalist David Hinds. "Obviously, we had to stay contemporary." Produced by Steel Pulse and Steven Stewart, recorded in Jamaica and mixed in England, Vex features the prominent horn riffs, the pulsating drum and bass and the smooth vocals that characterize their recordings and live shows. Hinds believes that "a little bit of everything" helps make the music of today, so Vex is a flavorful blend of roots reggae and dub with R&B, hip-hop, dancehall and funk. Vex balances hard-core political tracks ("New World Order," "Endangered Species") with contemporary urban dance tunes and snappy, semi-reggae ballads like "Whirlwind Romance," "Better Days" and "In My Life" (featuring 17-year- old D.J. Jukie Ranks). The leadoff track, "Bootstraps," showcasing a conscious rap by Jamaica's Tony Rebel, is a motivational message delivered over a kicking dancehall groove. It segues into "Back to My Roots," an open letter to fans who've supported Steel Pulse over the years. In the tradition of the late Peter Tosh, "Islands Unite" denounces the divisiveness caused by the British colonial system and calls for Caribbean unity. The "X" in Vex marks Steel Pulse's 10th album, and also stands for Malcolm X. "X-Resurrection," featuring England's D.J. Macka B., is a lesson in black history and a tribute to America's slain political leader. "Dirty H2O" is an historical account of the first generation of West Indians who came to England in search of opportunity and were exploited as part of the reserve labor force after World War II. "We just can't ignore the politics, because every life and soul that's born on this earth is a political maneuver for someone, at some stage," Hinds explains. "From a spiritual aspect, it's really an upliftment through facing reality - what's out there. We deal with positive spirits. It means putting aside the guns, the drugs and all of the things that are ailments of the society -- especially the black communities right now." Steel Pulse, who started out performing on the British punk scene with groups like Generation X as part of the Rock Against Racism movement, was founded in the Handsworth section of Birmingham by Hinds and core members Selwyn Brown and Steve Nisbett. Their original bass player, Ronald McQueen, named the group after a popular race horse. Phonso Martin, another founding member of Steel Pulse, left the group in 1991. Currently, Steel Pulse tours with an eight-member ensemble that includes supporting musicians Clifford "Moonie" Pusey on lead guitar, Kevin Batchelor on trumpet, Gerry Johnson on sax, Alvin Ewen on bass and Sidney Mills on keyboards. Some of the band members remain steadfast to traditional Rastafarian beliefs, including wearing dreadlocks, daily prayer and traveling with their own ital cook. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEEL PULSE DISCOGRAPHY Vex 1994 MCA Rastafari Centennial (Live in Paris-Elyse Montmartre) 1992 MCA Victims 1991 MCA State of Emergency 1988 MCA Babylon the Bandit 1986 Elektra Earth Crisis 1984 Elektra True Democracy 1982 Elektra Reggae Fever (a.k.a. Caught You) 1980 Island/Mango Tribute to the Martyrs 1979 Island/Mango Handsworth Revolution 1978 Island/Mango ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Hinds talks about Vex: "Bootstraps" Evidently one of the more dancehall-oriented tracks on the album. Featuring CBS/Epic recording artist Tony Rebel. The statement in this song leans towards the final call of unifying the black nation - or any other nation, for what it's worth. We are desperately crying out to save the youth from this current wave of drugs and crime. "So pick up your bootstraps and backside, we moving forward no backslide." We hope this could become a catch-phrase for everyone who is looking towards a positive future. "Back to My Roots" The second track on the album. Deliberately composed to capture musically the feel of reggae in the mid-'70s. Our intention was to rectify any curiosity and controversy about the direction we took in the past and present, regarding our musical style and lyrical content. Many fans and reggae critics expected us to be the first in line to take over Bob Marley's musical legacy, then became somewhat disappointed when we adhered to a format that was contrary to what they expected. Throughout the song, we account the adventurous measures we took to survive the "churned-out, once-in-a-while, here-today-gone-tomorrow" attitude that is strongly accepted by the music industry. Now we've had enough of the walking-on-eggshells syndrome. We are "Back to Our Roots." "Islands Unite" The inspiration for this track derived from what we experienced in New Caledonia, better known to the natives of this particular island as "Kanaky." We share their ideology of being independent from all forms of colonialism. "Islands Unite" recognizes the force and influence that reggae and dancehall have in uplifting the spirit of people of so many islands across the world. So people of the third world, "Let's fight the wicked out of sight." "Better Days" Breakbeat, hip-hop flavored track. Probably the most commercial-sounding on the album. Featuring Pulse's trumpet player Kevin Batchelor rapping. The title is self-explanatory. This is for those who are feeling down in the blues; there's light at the end of the tunnel. "In My Life" What's a complete album in this day and age without a love song? Compliments to 17-year-old Jukie Ranks, the D.J. prominent on this track. "Endangered Species" This song laid in the balance for a long time, because it was originally tipped to be the title track. "Endangered Species" points out the ailments that plague many black communities throughout the western world - drugs, guns, gangs and the lack of interest in educational programs have contributed in keeping us back as a nation. "New World Order" A good example of Steel Pulse's writing style lies within this track. Also suggested to be the title track, "New World Order" mentions the very idea of certain countries - for example America, England, etc. - professing to be the policemen of the world. We oppose this very idea. The question is: Can one sweep clean the chaos that lies abroad when there's pandemonium in one's very own backyard? "X-Resurrection" Featuring Jamaica's best female vocalist, Diana King, and Home Boy D.J. Macka B. Our overdue tribute to Malcolm X, which nevertheless commemorates the seventieth year of his birth. Cultural values are kept alive through the recognition of the achievements of our heroes. And it is through recognition that role models are created. This track confirms our devotion to the great activist. "Whirlwind Romance" Love is compared to being swept off one's feet like a whirlwind. With a hypnotic dancehall groove, this song is enhanced with female backing vocals. "No Justice No Peace" The practice of so many injustices has left us with very little confidence in the judicial system. Above the angry groove of the drum and bass, "No Justice No Peace" lashes out at the outcome of the Rodney King trials. "No Justice No Peace" goes on to acknowledge Mike Tyson's incarceration in comparison to a Kennedy family member's acquittal on an almost identical crime. "Dirty H20" This song's lyrical content explains the current situation in England - a situation where most ethnic minorities have come to the conclusion that they have been given a very raw deal. The members of Steel Pulse are among the first generation of blacks born in Britain. We have witnessed the hardship our parents were subjected to while working in Britain, a country that had our parents' islands under colonial rule. Over the last 40 years, these social and political relationships have not improved. Remember, it was the people from the islands who played a very valid part in placing Britain back on its feet in the post-war years. "Dubite" and "Back to My Roots" Both are CD bonus tracks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------