Joseph Israel
// Musician & VocalistJOSEPH ISRAEL is a reggae musician, singer-songwriter, and vocalist from Fayetteville, Arkansas. He plays alongside The Jerusalem Band featuring some of Jamaica’s finest musicians to create uplifting reggae-roots music. Together they send out a positive message to mankind to stay alert and absolute in a time of tribulation. Joseph Israel’s music shares lyrics of faith, hope, love, and unity to inspire listeners around the world. His albums “Gone Are The Days” (2007), and “Restore Humanity [EP]” (2007) are both available from New Door Records, and “Kingdom Road” (2013) is available from the iTunes Music Store, other online digital music outlets, and Lions of Israel, Inc.
Website: www.josephisrael.com
Photo: Joseph Israel
Interview:
Music is a catalyst for change and has always been a way to communicate new ideas that transform the world we live in. Music’s healing sounds open up the mind and heart to perceive beyond the normal scope of the limited vision of our conditioned mind. Coming from the heart, the musician is able to connect with the heart of the listener and so this moves the experience up to a higher spiritual connection and experience. It is through this heart-to- heart connection that the door for true communication and transformation is opened. This is the power of the gift of music.
Looking at the world today we can easily see that people are suffering from disease, war, malnutrition, and economic despair. The planet Earth is suffering from pollution and deforestation. These conditions seem to be getting worse all the time. We are at a time that we as a planet are crying out for healing, for transformation, for a change. It is at this unique time faced with all these global challenges that we also have the ability to communicate worldwide. this can and will only bring all people closer together. There is no doubt that there have been many wrongs and horrible things perpetrated on the people by governments, corporations, and even in the name of religions. This has caused a division, walls to be put up, keeping people divided. This is where the power of music comes in.
As an artist myself I can see the problems we all face and I hope to see and be a part of the change. I strive to communicate this hope through songs. The ability to forgive and to love is a gift from YHWH the almighty creator. It is essential to our future; it can and will be accomplished. The human race was made to love and be loved. Many times I find myself feeling concern about the struggle we are facing in this world of lies, injustice, and oppression. Though it is hard to explain this feeling, I can write a song about it. Without running from the problems we all face, and with music as one vehicle, we can rise to a higher place of universal love, hope, and forgiveness. The truth is that none of us is perfect and we all need forgiveness. It is with love and forgiveness that healing will come. The walls of division will fall, and we can begin to work on solutions and a better way. We can make the change.
These values have deeply affected my life, and as I continue to grow as a person and an artist, compassion and thankfulness are constantly increasing within me and the music. It is my hope that with conscious focus and the healing power of music, we can address the serious and urgent issues of the day, and at the same time remove all fear and anxiety about the future to instil the hope of the good things to come. We have the power to love, and the choice is ours to forgive. Let us remember the blessed truth that “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” May these words be impressed upon our heart and true peace on earth prevail among all people of good will. One Love and Shalom to all!
“Music is a catalyst for change and has always been a way to communicate new ideas that transform the world we live in.”
– Joseph Israel, Musician & Vocalist