State of Emergency
Steel Pulse · 1988
53 min · 11 tracks · roots reggae
A vibrant blend of roots reggae, socially conscious lyrics, and danceable grooves that capture the spirit of late '80s activism.
Top tracks — play these first
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State of Emergency — The title track sets a powerful tone with urgent rhythms and impassioned vocals that directly confront societal issues, encapsulating the album's overarching theme.
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Dead End Circuit — This track exemplifies the band's signature sound, combining infectious melodies with poignant commentary on urban decay and lost opportunities.
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Love This Reggae Music — Celebrating the essence of reggae itself, this song serves as an anthem for unity and pride within the genre, reflecting Steel Pulse's deep-rooted connection to their musical heritage.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends engaging grooves with socially conscious themes, though it lacks a strong cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the communal feel typical of reggae music.
- The final track is an extended version of 'Reaching Out', which adds additional instrumental sections not present in the earlier version.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- danceable grooves for social gatherings
- uplifting energy for activism vibes
- catchy hooks for sing-alongs
- patient exploration of themes
- vibrant rhythms for celebration
Maybe skip if you
- dislike engaging with social issues
- prefer fast-paced, high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1988, State of Emergency marked Steel Pulse's fifth studio album and came during a period of significant political and social awareness in their music. Following their Grammy-winning album, Babylon by Bus, this record continued their exploration of themes like love, unity, and resistance against oppression while solidifying their influential position within the reggae genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Burning Spear· Toots and the Maytals· Black Uhuru
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 State of Emergency 4:36
- 2 Dead End Circuit 4:51
- 3 Steal a Kiss 4:23
- 4 Hijacking 4:31
- 5 P.U.S.H. 4:46
- 6 Love This Reggae Music 4:28
- 7 Said You Was an Angel 3:59
- 8 Reaching Out 5:36
- 9 Melting Pot 4:21
- 10 Disco Drop Out 3:52
- 11 Reaching Out (extended version) 8:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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