BY HOWARD CAMPBELL
Observer senior writer—
Most artistes looking to make the charts usually go into the recording studio with a concept, hoping it guarantees them a hit song. For Soul Rebel Project, the strategy was uncomplicated.
“The concept was unity and love…musically, the concept was to draw inspiration from all of our different influences,” said the band’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Michael Francis.
Inspiration is the title of the Massachusetts band’s third album, which was released on March 23 by VPAL, an affiliate of VP Records.
It has 11 songs including Talk, a mix of rock and reggae; Unity, which is done with singer Kenyatta Hill of Culture; and the jazzy Sweet Thing.
Inspiration follows four years after Higher Place, their second album. During the break between sets, Soul Rebel Project has logged hundreds of miles touring and building their fan base.
Extensive roadwork has paid off for other American bands like Rebelution and SOJA. Francis credits doing as many as 100 shows a year for Soul Rebel Project’s improving live show and growing fan base.
“Our biggest markets are New England, California, New York and Eastern Europe. Our online audience has been growing rapidly and we are gaining 4,000 – 5000 new Spotify listeners every day, with places like Colorado and South America on the rise,” he said.
Francis, lead guitarist Jay Harris, bassist Adam Saylor and drummer Geoff Pilkington formed Soul Rebel Project eight years ago in Gloucester, a historic fishing city in northern Massachusetts. According to Francis, their influences range from Burning Spear, Sizzla, Culture, Morgan Heritage, The Police, soul singer Charles Bradley, hip hop duo Gang Starr, “and lots of jazz”.
They initially made a name in their home state, which has had a vibrant reggae scene since the 1970’s when fans there discovered The Harder They Come, Bob Marley and Burning Spear.
“It is still vibrant, [with] some young artistes on the rise. Northern ‘Mass’ has become another area very receptive to reggae,” said Francis. “Clubs like Minglewood Tavern on Gloucester, and also Surfside in Salisbury, have hosted some serious reggae shows over the past few years.”
Inspiration is released during a buoyant period for American reggae. Rebelution, SOJA, Common Kings and Bumpin Uglies have all figured prominently on Billboard Magazine’s Reggae Album Chart.
Francis commented on the rise of American reggae.
“Bands such as JBB (John Brown’s Body), Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid and SOJA have worked so hard for so long. They all have opened up doors for so many in the US scene and we have nothing but respect for all of these guys,” he said. “It’s nice to see the young, new fans getting introduced to Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and all the greats because they were listening to Rebelution and SOJA and wanted to see what their influences were.”
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