OLDIES SUNDAY: Mystic Revealers – Got To Be A Better Way (1991)

The world is troubled, and there’s a lot going on. Every day there’s some sort of conflict in family, friendships, and relationships. People are lead astray from all types of individuals and platforms, and even the most conscious or morally upstanding person can be corrupted. It’s a crazy world out there. Today’s Oldies Sunday selection comes from a Band that has delivered songs that aimed to make the listener more conscious of themselves, and more aware of what’s going on in the world. We go back in time to hear Mystic Revealers’ “Got To Be A Better Way“.

The self-produced “Got To Be A Better Way” was released through Sonic Sounds in 1991, and it finds Mystic Revealers seeking a way out of this world that has been tarnished for so long. They speak about wars, corrupt Politicians, poverty, hypocrisy, and they plead for the people to unite and develop solutions for a more positive world. The song was lead vocally by Billy “Mystic” Wilmot, and when performed live featured some deejaying by Dancehall Artist Angie Angel (the original version doesn’t contain her vocals, but it was somewhat sampled/remixed for a version with her called “What A Galang“). “Got To Be A Better Way” quickly became a hit for the Band locally, and was recognized internationally as it was released through MCA Records. The track was performed at Reggae Sunsplash, was featured on their 1993 album, “Jah Works“, and later on their 2015 “Crucial Cuts” compilation.

Mystic Revealers took their share of hiatuses over the years, but since the release of “Got To Be A Better Way”, they went on to release a number of singles and albums, and toured until a hiatus in the early 2000s. Lead Vocalist Billy Mystic went on to become a brand himself as he founded the Jamaica Surfing Association, opening the doors for the Caribbean’s Pro Surfing culture, and thanks to his acting prowess became a star on the popular Jamaican Soap Opera series “Royal Palm Estate” as the character “CC“. Mystic Revealers reconnected in the 2010s, released albums in 2015 and 2020. “Got To Be A Better Way” remains one of their most recognized singles.