Friction

Dr. Israel made his mark as one of the first recording artists to experiment with fusions of hip hop, jungle and reggae styles. His first solo album, the 1996 landmark 7 Tales of Israel (Wordsound) put Dr. Israel on the map as an innovator and a contender. After cementing his reputation as a dub/jungle icon with three significant follow-up releases in 1997, Dr. Israel stepped up to another level with 1998's Inna City Pressure and proved he could rock out with the big boys. Rolling Stone reviews and invitations to guest star followed, as did the brilliant, intimate 2001 LP Black Rose Liberation under the moniker Brooklyn Jungle Sound system, which showcased his astonishing range as a producer, vocalist and lyricist.