Katchafire formed in June 1997, as a Bob Marley tribute band that extensively toured New Zealand in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 2002, the band were signed to Mai Music,[1] a newly formed record label established by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as a sister project to urban contemporary radio station Mai FM, as a way to promote Māori musicians.

[1] Revival was recorded at the Mai FM studios in Auckland, and was produced by Chris Macro of the Dubious Brothers, taking inspiration from the Pacific reggae sound of Herbs.

Reid praised the "warm, classic, soul-reggae voices" of Logan Bell and Jamey Ferguson, and felt that the album was filled with "immediately memorable" songs from different reggae genres.

[17] Scott Miller writing for The Niche Cache highly praised the album, feeling this was one of the most essential New Zealand reggae albums that pioneered the modern kiwi reggae sound,[18] a sentiment echoed by music journalist Gareth Shute.