The Katalys Crew. - Contributed

André Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

The radical gospel group, Katalys Crew, has a new album. For those who are familiar with the group, they are accustomed to the rich reggae beat that the group produces. The new album is called Katalys Crew 4 A Reason and is "dedicated to people in the world who feel trapped by situations and circumstances".

Their first album reflected mostly on the members' personal hardships and triumphs, but now they are more dedicated to getting the message out there.

"Our intention was to make a more mature album than the first. Our main focus is on an outward look," said Katalys founder and band leader, Paul Barclay. "Darkness is the absence of light. We are trying to take this light to the world."

Spiritual maturity

The group has been faced with many challenges, with criticisms of their reference to Jah in their songs, for sporting dreadlocks and the departure of a few former members. But if something does not kill you, it can only make you stronger. Barclay said as a result, the group is now at the place it needs to be in terms of spiritual maturity.

This, he said, is reflected in the album's title track. Part of the song says "everything in life is for a reason, so you got to be conscious".

Gospel music these days is taking more and more of a dancehall theme, a trend Katalys is not willing to follow. Instead, the group wants to retain the Third World sound, or Morgan Heritage sound, it now has.

"We want the elements of a more open message directed at a more international market. Europe does not readily accept Christian music, so we are packaging it a way to reach them," Barclay said.

Not riches, but reach

They have been busy promoting their second album. The group had already been to Trinidad, and the American states of New York and Connecticut. Being the radical group they are, they worried about their appearance and how the older generation would have received them. They made reference to Psalms 68:5 to explain why they used Jah and, according to Barclay, they got a warm reception. He said the dreadlocks were not a group decision, but all the members at some point wanted to wear them.

With their new album out, Katalys is not expecting riches, but reach.

"We have chosen a path that is about peace, love, hope and unity to take it to the world from this little rock of Jamaica," Barclay said.