Rebelation

Rebelation are a 10-piece reggae, ska and rocksteady group based in East Anglia, England. The band forms in late 1994 and develops a sound built around a horn section and dual male and female vocals. Its early influences include The Clash, The Specials, The Beat and Jah Shaka, alongside other English dub reggae sound systems from the period.

Style and influences

The group’s traditional ska draws on the Skatalites, while its reggae and rocksteady side takes influence from the Treasure Isle and Studio One catalogues of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rebelation also includes modern Jamaican influences in its music, and it presents itself as a contemporary band rather than a revival act. Over time, its line-up changes lead to a more refined and authentic sound.

Career and live activity

Rebelation performs widely in the UK and Europe and builds a loyal following through touring. It plays many festivals and appears twice as headliner on the Reggae Stage at the UK free festival Strawberry Fayre in Cambridge. The band also shares stages with acts including Bad Manners, The Selecter, Snuff, Asian Dub Foundation, Soulwax, Laurel Aitken and Zion Train.

Releases

The band’s first release is the Rebel EP in 1997, followed by the album Steppas in 1998 and the four-track EP Where Is Your Soul in 1999. These three releases are self-issued. After signing to Do The Dog Music, Rebelation releases its second album Yo Swing Dat Mama in 2002.

In 2004 the band re-releases Steppas on Do The Dog Music with remastered tracks and bonus material from Where Is Your Soul. Later releases on the label include the six-track mini-album Pounds and Pence and the full-length album State of the Union, which combines ska, roots reggae and rocksteady.