The Mystic Revealers
The Mystic Revealers, who formed in 1978, draw from a wealth of musical influences, according to Billy Mystic, co-founder and principal songwriter for the group, Billy, the youngest son of two journalist living in Bull Bay, (eight miles from Kingston), grew up in admiration of popular singers and vocal groups like Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Barrington Levy, the Mighty Diamonds, and naturally, Bob Marley. "I was never a fan one particular singer - I was more a fan of individual songs," said Billy, who took up the guitar in his early twenties. "It was as if any song that Bob Marley sang was my favorite. Growing up in the late 70's, I was influenced by that era of music." Music was always a spiritual expression rather than a way to make money or gain radio exposure.
The Mystic Revealers have always felt the key to their success was in expanding their sound beyond traditional roots reggae. Billy Mystic sees DJ/Dancehall music as another extension of the art form. "A lot of people try to create (divisions) between reggae and dancehall music. We see reggae as a wide and diverse field of music with many creative possibilities in terms rhythm, melody, and lyrical content. DJ-ing is just another form of this music with potent messages, beats, and melodies."
Another of the co-founding members, Nicholas "Cymbal" Henry, drummer, percussionist, and accomplished producer, learned his craft while playing with Earth Disciplines of Jalan and formed a group with singer Jack Radics before joining the Mystics Revealers. Other core members include keyboardist Paul "Scooby" and Steve "Dad" Davis on guitar and Lion on bass.
Longtime purveyors of conscious and spiritual reggae music, the Mystic Revealers write songs for political and spiritual enlightenment as well as songs of love, redemption, and repatriation. Growing up in the thriving fishing village of Bull Bay, Billy Mystic was embraced by the Rastafarian community at an early age. In Jamaica, you have a lot of evangelists who go from door to door preaching Christianity," he explained. "The song 'Religion' was just an expression on our part, saying 'You can't tell the Rastaman about these things.' In my days, Bull Bay had a large percentage of Rastafarians who had fled the ghettos of Kingston. Those areas were destroyed when the Rastas were under a lot of persecution. Marcus Garvey had stated that the Rastafarians should live about ten miles from the city. I grew up seeing the Rastaman as a humble man instead of the Blackheart man. Those are the kinds of influences that I grew up with, and for that, I give thanks.
The Mystic Revealers' International appeal has resulted in a number of successful ventures. In 1993 they toured North America on the national Sunsplash tour. In 1994, the group received the prestigious Jamaican Music Award (JAMI). Recently, they earned coveted slots on large-scale music festivals like the annual Rocker's TV Bash in Ocho Rios and northern California's Reggae on the River (1996), and Midem '97 in France and the 1998 Sierra Nevada World Festival. The Mystic Revealers music is also features on an AT&T commercial, which is broadcast throughout the Caribbean. As an actor, Billy Mystic has a recurring role on the Jamaican soap opera Royal Palms Estates, which has increased the band's popularity and visibility.
"We want the world to know that the Mystic Revealers are genuine in our concern for people and our hope for righteousness to cover the Earth like water covers it. we believe that people should come together and find the peace and tranquility that righteousness can bring."
Mystic
Revealers' Discography:
|
