Orthodox Issachar gives Praises
As a long-standing member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, singer Orthodox Issachar regularly turns to the Bible as inspiration for his songs. It was no different for Praises, his latest release, which acknowledges a popular New Testament verse.
“Psalm 100 tells you, ‘Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing’. Dat’s something wi missing in reggae nowadays,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
Praises is produced by Sangie Davis, a senior member of the
Twelve Tribes of Israel, who has guided Orthodox Issachar on most of his songs. It hears Earl “Chinna” Smith on guitar, bassist Danny “Axeman” Thompson, and keyboardist Phillip “Winta” James, known for his production work with Chronixx and Jesse Royal.
The song, Orthodox Issachar stressed, honours ideals reggae’s greats espoused. Ideals, he believes, is lacking in contemporary Jamaican music.
“Reggae is losing the message that people like Bob (Marley), (Burning) Spear, and Bunny Wailer sing ‘bout. Today, wi hear too much ‘bout sex an’ violence, so a lotta di youth dem think dat’s di way to go,” he reasoned.
Orthodox Issachar was born Patrick Spence in Montego Bay and raised in east Kingston.
Since the 1970s, he has lived in Canada where he launched his recording career in 2000.
To date, he has released three albums, each produced by Davis, who has written hit songs for Bob Marley (Wake up And Live) and Sophia George’s (Girlie Girlie).
Rastaman, Orthodox Issachar’s previous album, was released in
2009.