The members of Israel Vibration are childhood friends who met while recovering from polio at a rehab centre in Jamaica. The trio gravitated to a rootsy sound and deeply spiritual lyrics, even getting funding for an early single from the 12 Tribes of Israel, a Rastafarian church. Their debut album The Same Song solidified their fanbase at home and led to tours with Bob Marley. After flirting with dancehall on 1981's Why You So Craven the group moved to New York and splintered. They reunited five years later, carrying on as a duo after cofounder Albert “Apple” Craig's departure.