I Grade Records and Andrew Bassie Records are proud to release “Mongst I&I”, the brand new single and the first ever music video from Midnite, the international roots music trailblazers from St Croix, Virgin Islands. Available on iTunes and other digital outlets September 27, 2011 the “Mongst I&I” Single EP is a digital-only release featuring the single, Midnite’s debut music video, two remixes and a dub mix each of which is sold individually and together for a special package price of $4.99. Recorded at both the legendary Tuff Gong Studios with JA’s finest musicians (Earl Chinna Smith, Sticky Thompson,and more) and the pioneering I Grade studios in St Croix, “Mongst I&I” is the debut single off of the upcoming full-length album from Midnite entitled Kings Bell, set for release on 11/1/11.

The EP: music

The debut single, “Mongst I&I” is a stirring anthem to remind us of the importance of unity and collective strength in these tumultuous times. The song’s evocative one-drop rhythm is anchored by a rock solid drum and bass groove and highlighted by Earl Chinna Smith’s emotional and unforgettable guitar riff.

The remixes were carefully crafted to provide alternate sonic visions of the song in order to evoke the fullness of the message.  One is a deeply creative afrobeat-influenced remix by Lustre Kings’ maestro Andrew Moon Bain, and the other is a passionate acoustic guitar-laden nyahbinghi ballad produced by SoundPonics – a St. Croix-based production duo comprised of Tippy I and Padraic Coursey of Aqua Sounds Studio in Christiansted, St. Croix.

The EP: video

The gorgeous “Mongst I&I” music video was recorded on location in both Frederiksted, St. Croix and Kingston, Jamaica. Rather  than actors performing a role, the video (produced and edited by Aqua Media, St. Croix’s premiere HD film production company) presents an authentic and honest portrayal of a day in the life ‘amongst I & I’ in the Caribbean today. Footage from Frederiksted’s ocean-side Fish Market to the streets and music studios of Kingston, Jamaica interspersed with dramatic scenes of international events and people that shape our society captures the spirit of connectedness and oneness in the song – “keep good relations, ‘mongst I&I more time.”

The Album

“Mongst I&I” is the debut single off of the upcoming full-length album from Midnite entitled Kings Bell, set for release 11/1/11. Kings Bell will be Midnite’s first full-length album with a Jamaican producer (Andrew “Bassie” Campbell) and features some of the greatest Jamaican musicians the genre has ever heard including Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace (drums), Earl “Chinna” Smith (guitar), Squidley Cole (drums), Mikey “Boo” Richards (percussion) and Sticky Thompson (percussion). Much of the music was recorded organically in Jamaica at Tuff Gong Studio, with additional overdubs, vocal recording and mixing completed at I Grade’s studio in Aqua Sounds Studio on St. Croix. The result is a collection of songs that capture not only the essence of classic roots from the hands and minds of some of the individuals who have literally helped build the genre, but also the urgency, innovation and contemporary message of the present.