Ever had one of those times when everything seems so complicated and all you want is something simple?  For me, it’s the same thing with music.  Shows that I go to are like noisy metal, hardcore rap, and everything inbetween.  And being bombarded with such extremes, sometimes all I want is something simple—good, but simple.  Enter Ishmael & the Peacemakers.  They are a San Diego-based roots reggae band whose music inspires positivity and peace.  This five man crew is comprised of Jamie Thibodeau (percussions), Mike Lockrem (bass), Japheth Ketcham (rhythm guitar), Arturo Salido (guitar & keys) and, the peacemaker himself, Ishmael Sealy (drums & vocals). 

To kick off the night, they started with “Rejuvenation” from their 2003 release Feeling Irie.  Straightout from the first song was a steady roots beat combined with the airiness of Sealy’s voice lifted listeners to higher level.  Even the guitar solos weren’t so complex to where it would clutter up the flow of the music.  Although Sealy’s career has spanned many moons over a couple countries, his message of positivity has remained constant.  He engages with his audience like a preacher to a congregation except these parishioners worship the sounds of the Peacemakers.  “URD1” was another that they played from the same CD, along with a dub version of “Gracious Gorilla” from their latest release Gracious Gorilla.  In a time when reggae is mixed with brash genres like punk and hip hop, Ishmael and the Peacemakers prove bringing music, and life in general, back to its basics is just the peace we all need.