‘Keep Rising’ is the long-awaited debut from Wanganui based reggae group House of Shem, the band’s strength is their phenomenal tightness and precision playing combined with the sweetness of their vocal harmonies. Like other popular local groups Kora and Katchafire, this is no doubt down to genetics. It’s most definitely a “whanau thing” with Carl Perkins (dad) formerly from the band Herbs steering the ship and he is joined in this band by two of his sons, Te Omeka and Isaiah who not only both provide vocals and keyboards, but also share the song-writing duties, each contributing a third of the album’s songs. It’s this clever distribution of labour that gives the album its variety of flavours and the family’s tight musical bond that renders an overall cohesion.

Perkins senior’s compositions are statesman-like and rooted in the familiar tradition of the greats like Marley, Tosh and Burning Spear. Te Omeka provides a slightly more modern militant and “dread” style whilst Isaiah brings the sweetness and youth. Each of them sings lead vocals on the tracks they have penned with the other two harmonizing.

For those that like local reggae, this album is a must. It is a refreshingly strong debut and indicates that only great things are in store for this band’s future.

Keep Rising       
Thinking About You   
Cries Of The Youth   
Move As One   
Jah Bless   
Dreams   
New Day   
Need To Know   
Jah Reggae   
What About the Children   
Holy Mount Zion   
Without You