The Human Rights are a four-piece band from Toronto centred around vocalist Friendlyness, drummer Eric Woolston, bassist Tyler Wagler and keyboardist Bernie Pitters.
By Jah Rebel
The latter, a seasoned Jamaican musician who learned the ropes from none other than Earl ‘Wyah’ Lindo and performed with the likes of Toots & The Maytals and Johnny Osbourne & Ishan People, sadly passed away in 2023.
‘One People’, the band’s fourth studio album, stands largely as a heartfelt tribute to the spiritual cornerstone of The Human Rights. Pitters’ voice still echoes in the album’s intro, there’s a clear homage tucked into the instrumental ‘Pitters Skank’, and in the moving ‘The Don And The General’, the sentiment is once again unmistakably present:
In the smile upon your face
There is an expression of love
That will always remain
There is a debt I can’t repay
And I miss you more each day
Fly on my friend fly on
The Don and The General
I and I hold the light you shone
And we pass it on
Fly on my friend fly on
What a gift it is
I and I hold the light you shone
…
With Friendlyness at the helm, The Human Rights already boast a rock-solid lead vocalist, but for this album, the band also teamed up with guest singers like Exco Levi, Kairo McLean and Lauren Barnett.
One of the real highlights is ‘Rasta A Rasta’, voiced over the classic Every Tongue Shall Tell riddim, and turned into an instant rasta anthem thanks to the powerful interplay between Friendlyness and rising star Kairo McLean.
A warmly recommended roots and new roots release, with just a dash of soul!
Founder alongside Jah Shakespear who transitioned to this role in late 2014. Previously worked as critic and reporter, balancing passions for music and Haile Selassie spirituality.
April 18, 2025