Don’t fight ‘gainst the Rasta man with him culture music, ‘cause the Rasta man no mean no harm, what Rasta man want to do is calm the storm”Albert “Apple Gabriel” CraigWhile it’s not uncommon to hear stories of a reggae star’s rise from the ghettos of Jamaica, few performers endured the struggle and have earned the success and international fame as Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig.
As an original member of the globally renowned harmony trio Israel Vibration, Apple has recently embarked on a solo career, and subsequently has released his first solo record, Another Moses. During his career with Israel Vibration, Apple was a major contributor to their “anthemic” songs and ethereal “bionic” roots harmonies, and he also wrote a seemingly infinite number of great songs, such as Lift Up Your Conscience, We A De Rasta, Why You So Craven, Oh Jan Solid Rock, Middle East, There is No End, Falling Angels, Mud Up and Rude boy Shuffling.
With his solo career, Apple not only brings to mind his powerful work with Israel Vibration, but he continues to appeal to both new fans and old with his distinct personal style and trademark vocal sound.
At the age of three, Apple contracted polio and could not move the lower part of his body. Committed to the Mona polio rehabilitation center in Jamaica, Apple was subjected to medical experiments and regularly endured the conventional treatment for polio at that time, a blistering hot blanket wrap.
“I would just sit down and sing everyday”, he recalls, “because I never have nothing else to do.” Apple taught himself to play the piano by watching the hands of his teacher as she played, and wrote his first song, “Things of the Morning” when he was just ten years old.
Musical backing is provided by The Zionists, a potent group of accomplished musicians who were chosen and named by Apple. The Zionists create the timeless “roots and culture” reggae sound that blends seamlessly with Apple’s incomparable songs and vocals.
Apple Gabriel and the Zionists is a package of the most experienced, hard-working and devoted players of instruments, and poised at the brink of the millennium, the music of Apple Gabriel stands as the cutting edge of conscious, roots reggae music.
