December 7, 2018
Rootfire Cooperative / Wiseman Doctrine
Bearing witness to the accelerating negativity of global affairs, Steel Pulse emerges with musical vengeance to halt the disarray of humanity. The bands twelfth studio production, titled Mass Manipulation, reflects four decades committed to bettering mankind through music. Steel Pulse continues to be revolutionary in engaging controversial topics of racial injustice and human rights on a global scale. Their musical stance and conceptualizations are as potent and relevant today as they were at the beginning of their career. The album's uniquely thematic approach provokes thought as it presses forward, toward humanities unification. A manipulation of our minds has been influenced by a New World Order currently dominating humankind. Steel Pulse reappears at a fated moment, armed with compassion, encouraging all people to reject false ideals, set higher goals, and demand more from themselves to further this unification. Lead singer and guitarist, David Hinds' creativity, human persona, and visionary views are revealed through inspiring compositions that capture the effects of the African Diaspora. These songs weave and interlock with each other, enticing all to stand together and unite. The album begins with a continuation of past struggles in attaining freedom. From the opening song, "Rize," one can hear, feel, and be uplifted through urgency established in its cadence. This urgency compels participation in the Windrush generation's cause to rise against evil and controlling forces. Ancient melodies paired with catchy lyrics in "Stop You Coming and Come" transport the mind to a period of time where secrets of an African dynasty are unmasked. "Thank The Rebels" follows as a classic Steel Pulse anthem with powerful messages of awareness and inspiration. From the opening trumpet call, Hinds picks up the torch of wisdom, rallying humanity toward great aspirations. In "Justice in Jena," rolling drums and repeated chorus structure highlight the hatred and racial intolerance that persists, despite the notion that society has progressed into a post-racial world. Haunting organs and eerie guitar interplay in "Human Trafficking" emulate the atrocities of this underground world, while desperate drumming and frantic horns bolster an emotional plea to admonish this horror. In the midst of today's strife and turmoil, Mass Manipulation is Steel Pulse's indispensable musical gift, as their forty year legacy continues to define the magnificent power and beauty of reggae music. As reggae revolutionaries, Steel Pulse is revered by the younger generation of artists and remains a powerhouse on stage around the globe. Through the example of Mass Manipulation, Steel Pulse demonstrates the endless possibilities that come from breaking down the walls of systemic greed, and nurturing the fellowship of mankind.