Israel - Wake up with you

Twenty two year old Israel has been on a long and sometimes difficult journey to reach where he is today. The opening lines of his debut album 'Chapter 1' set the frank and autobiographical tone of this accomplished RnB record:
"It's been a while since I lived in a place that I felt was home Last time was when I was 15 see, um I used to be a problem I wasn't far from harm."

Bookend that with the final track, 'Stars', and you get the full perspective of Israel's journey:

"I know that I can do anything I know I can reach for the stars In time you will see I'll be amazing As long as I follow my heart"

Fights with his father, running away from home, loneliness, thoughts of suicide, being part of an Asian minority, bad luck, bad choices; the themes read like a reflection on a long and difficult life, not the musings of someone barely into their 20's.

But rather than dwelling on the negative, Israel uses his past as motivation for his future. With an unshakable faith in his destiny Israel has spent seven years immersed in music, resulting in a catalogue of 450 songs, music publishing and recording deals and his debut album, 'Chapter 1'.

Born in Curzon City in the Philippines, Israel's parents followed what he calls "the national dream of leaving the country", and moved to Melbourne. It was here that his father was pastor in the Pentecostal Church, a Christian faith that celebrates through music. Enthralled by the drums, Israel picked up the sticks at age six, practising fills over and over again for two hours at a time. His good-natured enthusiasm began driving the other members of the church band mad, so they began teaching him guitar and bass. Meanwhile Israel's sister was given a keyboard, which he quickly commandeered, and learnt notes and then chords by ear.

It was around this time, aged 13, that Israel got his first proper bought-in-a-store album: Ice Cube's 'Predator' bowled him over with beats, rhymes and melodies. Israel then decided he'd be a producer. But first, he had to find out what a producer did!

Imported RnB magazines from the US fuelled Israel's knowledge, and his imagination of what could be possible for his own future. As his musical skills grew, he worked on his singing, then to complete himself he began copying dance moves from video clips and paying close attention to his personal styling. Singer, rapper, producer, dancer, remixer: Israel today has all the bases covered.

Teaming up with close friends Prince Ali and Kristian, Israel formed his own production company, Elite Fleet Productions, and began remixing and then producing tracks for the emerging crop of Australian RnB artists, including a remix of the debut single from J Wess, new Warner signing Kyle, NZ hip hop artist 6Pound, a remix of 1200 Techniques' latest single 'Fork In The Road' and four tracks on the new Selwyn album, including lead-out single 'Boomin''. After working with MC Jin ("the first Chinese rapper") on his recent Australian tour, Israel has set in place plans to release his music internationally, with a writing and recording trip planned for later this year through UK, France, US and Singapore. He has already made contact and initial plans with labels and promoters in Korea, Philippines, and the legendary Def Jam label in Japan.

What most impresses with this young all-rounder is his focus…his simple belief in himself and his own destiny. The most remarkable part of Israel's story is the most recent; from December 2003 until June 2004 Israel lived in his two-door car in the quiet new subdivisions of Melbourne. Having moved out of home after yet another fight, he maintained his schedule of meetings and negotiations with record companies and music publishers, kept up his regular nightclub performances around Melbourne's RnB clubs, and - most telling about his dedication, optimism and focus in such a troubled time - he recorded his debut album in the space of one week in a friend's house.

'Chapter 1', the debut album from Israel, is a tribute to the classic RnB and hip-hop of the 80's, the groups that have been influential on the sounds of Usher, J-Kwon, Mario Winans and other chart regulars of 2004. Jodeci, Wrekx-n-Effect, Blackstreet, WuTang Clan, Ice Cube, NWA, Public Enemy - even Melbourne's own CDB all played a part in the formation of Israel, this promising new RnB artist, certain to make an impact across the country and the world in 2004.

www.israeltheartist.com
www.village.com.au