By Shelah Moody
Don’t Shoot. Justice in Jena. Cry Cry Blood. Black and White Oppressors. These are some of the title tracks from Steel Pulse intriguing new album, “Mass Manipulation,” which dropped on May 17. Released on the indie Rootfire label, “Mass Manipulation” is Steel Pulse’s first studio album in more than a decade.
On March 31, Steel Pulse kicked off their “Mass Manipulation” tour at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. On May 24, the UK’s Grammy winning reggae band headlines at the California Roots and Music Festival in Monterey, CA.
Who: Steel Pulse
When: 4:45 p.m., Friday, May 24, 2019
Where: California Roots Music and Arts Festival. Bowl Stage, Monterey County Fairgrounds
A few months before “Mass Manipulation” dropped, David “Dread” Hinds, Steel Pulse’s lead singer/songwriter/guitarist /producer, called me and told me that “Mass Manipulation” was gonna blow me away; that it was their best album since their classics: Babylon the Bandit,” “Earth Crisis” and “True Democracy.” He was right.
Hinds and Steel Pulse have always prided themselves on staying current on global affairs and speaking out against injustices worldwide. Sometimes, they are prophetic. At their Warfield concert, the band performed one of their greatest hits: “Who Responsible,” from “True Democracy.”
Mother’s joy turn to
Pain and hollering
Weeping for their babes and sucklings
Spirits of the innocent wandering
Sufferation everlasting
But I wanna know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
Oh Papa dem chest keeps on burning
Fist clench tight a grit dem teeth
And blood is boiling
The price is high yet they keep on paying
The little bundles of love
They are all missing
And I wanna know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
The next day, April 1, Grammy nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle, a beautiful young man who was building his community, was gunned in Los Angeles.
“Mass Manipulation” deals with topics such as human trafficking, environmental destruction, police brutality, loss of self esteem and the root of all evil, racism, that’s racism with a rolling “R,” as sung by Hinds. Propelled by Steel Pulse’s signature throbbing rhythm section and mellifluous horns, and Hinds’ ethereal vocals, styles on the album range from rockers, Nyabinghi, dub and even EDM, electronic dance music. One of the highlights of “Mass Manipulation” is a remake of Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love,” featuring David Hinds’ son, Baruch Hinds, on lead rap. Listen to selections of “Mass Manipulation” on Streetwise Radio. Downloaded it now on major streaming services. Here’s a clip from Steel Pulse’s Warfield performance: Check out a clip from Steel Pulse’s’ Warfield performance:
May The Pulse Be With You.
