The Royals' lineup had fractured on many occasions over the years, but that never stopped Roy Cousins from keeping the band's name alive. The split in the mid-'70s was more serious however, but still didn't quite put an end to the group. In 1976, Cousins bundled up the best of the trio's recent work for the superb Pick Up the Pieces compilation. A second set, Ten Years After, arrived in 1978, with a third, Israel Be Wise, comprised of entirely new material, appearing that same year. By then, Cousins was ensconced at Channel One studio, where the Heptones had also set up shop, leading to Barry Llewelyn and Naggo Dolphin Morris providing the harmonies on the Israel set. Produced by Cousins himself, the album maintained both the high standards of the studio and Cousins' own Tamoki Wambesi label. Unfortunately, the set has yet to be reissued on CD, which may account for its slipping down the roots classic ladder. It deserves a high rung, however, for Israel is a fabulous album, with the trio's harmonies superb throughout, abetted by the Revolutionaries and the Roots Radics' excellent backings. Much of the album is culturally themed, including the simmering title track, the soulful sufferers' I Cried, the pretty unity number Never Be a Tomorrow Before Today, and such adage-filled advice as the deep roots If You Want Good and the sonorous New Generation. Elsewhere, romance goes to church on the hymn-styled Let's Hold Hands, '60s R&B lights up the lovelorn Lonely Lover, and the trio nice up the sound systems with both the cheery Happy Time and the glowing Everything's So Nice. Although the album didn't always hit the pinnacles reached on Pick Up the Pieces, it remains a high caliber set without a single weak track within. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, Rovi

1		Israel Be Wise
2		Come Let's Hold Hands
3		If You Want Good
4		Happy Time
5		Lonely Lover
6		Never Be Tomorrow Before Today
7		I Cried
8		Everything So Nice
9		New Generation
10		Same Old Story

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