A living lesson in fortitude, the vocal trio of Cecil “Skeley” Spence, Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig, and Lascelle “Wiss” Bulgin overcame adversity, illness, and poverty to become one of the finest roots groups in Jamaica’s history. All three had been afflicted by polio and first became acquainted, albeit briefly, at Kingston’s Mona Rehabilitation Clinic. The three teens had individually all previously converted to rastafarianism, now their shared faith and childhood experiences helped forge a strong friendship. They spent the next six years singing around Kingston for their suppers and by 1975, Israel Vibration was a vocal force to be reckoned with. The group’s exquisite dread sound and militant cultural themes made an instant impression and the trio now found themselves on-stage opening for the likes of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown.