AKAE BEKA i grade Portals

Infinite Quality –Midnite
       
Hailing from the Island of St Croix, Midnite is one of the most promising roots reggae bands of the millennium. Many answers to world troubles are cryptically placed in Midnite’s steadfast, strong lyrical content deleiverd by smooth and simple melodies. Lead singer Vaughn Benjamin’s angelic voice is an amalgamation of expressions in music. His soulful chanting and raspy voice mellows can into a sweet and sincere experience. The message is clearly Rastafarian and their devotion to spreading that message is inspirational. Vaughn delves deep into subjects that are relevant to these times by addressing distinct social problems of today, while decoding ancient philosophies from the past. To complete their enigmatic formula and keep a harmonious weave in their music, Midnite encompasses a heavy use of drum and bass patterns that are reminiscent of the 70’s classic roots period of Jamaican reggae. Midnite does not play by the rules, hence, they are setting a new standard in reggae music.

They have achieved an extensive catalog of albums, and a fan base that continues to grow and expand worldwide. Midnite has become notorious for their live performances, with sets that often exceed three hours. A vigorous and intense sound creates a vibe that penetrates straight to the heart. These epic musical communions have earned Midnite an enormous following throughout the roots reggae community. Midnite’s spiritually connected delivery on stage and in their recordings are exactly what fans respond to, in perilous and joyous times alike.

“Infinite Quality” features a powerful combination of Vaughn Benjamin’s searing lyrics, with the cutting edge productions of Lustre Kings’ producer, Digital Ancient (Andrew “Moon” Bain”). Responsible for coordinating the majority of the musical arrangement and production on this record, ‘Moon’ draws from a diverse musical background to create a sound unprecedented in Midnite’s vast catalogue. There is additional production from LK’s colleagues: I Grade Records, Zion High,  Diego ‘Fuego’ Campo (Noble Society) and Nick Fantastic (Hard Times Riddim). This wide-range of musical contribution combined with Vaughn’s potent lyrical style has lead to “Infinite Quality.” This impressive and unforgettable album is one of a kind in reggae music today. It incorporates seasoned reggae musicians such as Tony Ruption of Third World, Wadi Gad, Dean Pond and the legendary Basil ‘Benbo’ Creary. Equipped with live strings and horn lines all beautifully arranged throughout the album. With genre styles ranging from roots, dancehall to hip-hop, “Infinite Quality” is an album for the ages. 

1.	Dew
2.	Right Away
3.	Infinite Quality
4.	Dem A Wonder
5.	Mic Row Assemble
6.	Reala Law
7.	Attacking the Doves
8.	More Love
9.	 Forgiven
10.	 Grounds
11.	 Lose Everything
12.	 Frequency
13.	Stay With His Majesty (with Lutan Fyah)
14.	Hymns
15.	Before David
16.	Dominion
17.	Provide
18.	Heal Yourself 


18 Heal Yourself

Yolo - Gassy Faded (With Dancing With Roses, Voice And A Writer, Zoom!)

13 Love Is The Mainstay

11 Changes

10 Well Said

08 Be Kindly

06 Portals

03 Like Rhyme

HEAVY LOW - AKAE BEKA

Dezarie | "We Are Which Part We Come From" | Moes Alley | Santa Cruz | 2010

Tracklist:
1.	Nature Provides 
2.	My Mind
3.	Blackman's Foundation 
4.	Time Has Come 
5.	Time And Place
6.	Day Of Judgement
7.	Africa Must Be Free By 1983
8.	Book Of Life
9.	Great Tribulation
10.	Can't Pop No Style
11.	Hey Good Looking
12.	Jacqueline
13.	Going Places
14.	24 Hours a Day

Artist Driven Vol. 13 - Hugh Mundell

Midnite | "Breathing Scrolls" | Masonic Center | 2010

The clock - John Holt

Midnite - Due Reward (live)

Part1

It was early evening at Envision festival 2013. The sun was beginning its descent towards the horizon. The ground in front of the Sol stage was muddy from the torrential downpour of the previous night, combined with the dancing of undeterred festival goers. I went to check out Midnite's set and quickly found myself barefoot in the mud, rooting deep into the earth. The hypnotic music took me deeper and deeper into myself. 

Normally I play a lot of violin at music festivals, with a variety of artists, as I feel inspired, but for the first part of the festival I found that I was not feeling much compelled to play. I was trying to make peace with this, knowing that I couldn't force inspiration, and that maybe it was just time to express myself in other ways.

After about a half hour of dancing in the mud to this deep music, I felt a familiar pull deep in my lower belly. The pull spoke its message more clearly than any words ever could. "Go play," it said. 

 At first my mind interjected reasons why I should just sit and listen. "This is one of the big acts, it's already in progress, you don't want to seem pompous or pushy by going to play, it's bad etiquette." 

But I knew the message that was coming deep within, and I had promised a while back to always listen to that inner wisdom. I recognized that it was not my ego wanting to be on the stage, it was the deepest part of me. I knew I wasn't trying to force myself into the spotlight, but that the door was just opening and inviting me, I just didn't see it yet.

"These are just people playing music, and I'm just a person too, and I speak this language. The only thing stopping us from melding into musical fusion in this moment is the stage, and WE created that. It's not even a real obstacle. Go. Now."

So without another thought I watched as my feet led me backstage to my violin case. The music was hitting me super hard, and it didn't matter to me if I was on stage or not. I just knew I needed to play in that moment, whether anyone else could hear it or not was unimportant. Standing out of view from the audience, but in the view of the band, I picked up my violin and started to sing my heart out with it. The sound of my acoustic violin alone must have carried over the sound of the speakers, because after playing for about 15 seconds, lead singer Vaughn Benjamin turned and pointed directly at me, and motioned for me to come up onto the stage. I couldn't even be surprised. I was in the perfect flow of inspiration, where all things open effortlessly before you. As if knowing this would happen for months in advance, I spontaneously walked onto the stage, Vaughn Benjamin put his microphone up to my violin, and in a rush of energy I let rip a solo unlike anything I could have possibly expected. When I finished the crowd erupted in praise and I opened my eyes again, coming out of a trance.  

I left the stage and the sound guys ran up to me "Are you going to play some more with them?"

"I have no idea, ask them," was the most sincere answer I could give.  He came back a minute later and told me they were going to set up a microphone for me to use.

At first I felt like I was supposed to keep playing now that the microphone was there, but after a minute or two of vamping with the band, it didn’t feel quite right so I left the stage. 

“I am totally free. I can play if I feel like it, and I can also choose not to play if I don’t feel like playing,” I reminded myself and again let go from the core of my being into full trust. The rest of the set I just listened to the deep source of guidance in my lower belly, and came on and off the stage as the inspiration came. It was a perfect way of letting the band have time just to themselves, but to add my gift when the time was really right. It was one of my favorite sets of all time. The solo at the beginning was a rush of energy, but after about 10 minutes with my own microphone, I felt settled in completely. One with the entire experience. Everything started to groove into place really deeply.  

What I loved about the set is that at no point did I feel like we were TRYING to create excitement. It was super tuned in to the energy of the jungle, the energy of the cosmos, the greater picture. Sometimes the energy would rise as if getting ready to take off, but then it would subside and we would keep grooving deep. Other times, however, the energy just built and built and erupted into ecstatic celebration.


*****~~*** Favorite feedback I received about the set- “When [Midnite was] playing at first, I rooted down deep into the earth, but then when you started playing violin, I grew wings and soared up into the sky!” ***~~*****


Part 2

I had just arrived into Dominical and was headed to the Envision afterparty in a huge mansion that a bunch of people had collectively rented for the week. Walking past tortilla flats I saw JamiSun playing some fabulous guitar with loops and effects and wonderful virtuosity. I had been inspired by his performance at Envision, but had felt led to simply enjoy listening to his performance. This time I felt the pull in my belly to play, so I whipped out my violin walked up to where he was, asked his blessing to join, and then we started improvising together. The music that emerged was very exciting and the completely packed bar was super enthusiastic. I knew that people would soon be waiting for me to go the afterparty, so after just two songs together, I bid everyone a good evening and quickly packed up.

On my way out of the bar, a man stops me, shakes my hand and says “My name is Juaquin, and I caught your set with Midnite at Envision. I actually produce some of Midnite’s albums, and was wondering if you’d like to record some parts for upcoming albums.” We arranged to meet for breakfast the next day to discuss. Juaquin took excellent care of me while he was in town, and we spent a day in his hotel room recording. I recorded through each track a few times, then let it go, aiming for simplicity and beauty over virtuosity. The entire experience was a beautiful reminder of the freedom we have to create, in any circumstances, and an affirmation that when I open my heart to the world, the world will open in return.

released 28 May 2013 
Fifth Son Records 
www.fifthsonrecords.com 

VPAL Music 
VP Music Group, Inc. 

Executive Production: John Juaquin Wilson 
Published by Vaughn Benjamin/Scethlya Publishing/BMI, and John Juaquin Wilson/Fifthsonrecords/ASCAP 

All lyrics and vocals- Vaughn Benjamin 
All recording, mixing and production- John Juaquin Wilson 
Violin- Samuel Wexler 
Acoustic Guitar- Mathew Wasowski 
Electric Guitar- Lonn Calanca 
kitdrum- Johnny Jyemo 
Handrum- Vivienne 
All other instruments- Juaquin 

Album can be purchased electronically on iTunes, or physically from Amazon.

Midnite Feat. Samuel Wexler- Dirt And Clay

11 Changes

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