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In the sense that reggae has now become a global musical entity which not only allows, but in some cases demands that its artists travel throughout the world in order to perform for larger and more diverse audiences and record with a great variety of producers, few seem to have adjusted to this very modern landscape better than the mystical and captivating Midnite. The St. Croix-based group, fronted by one of the genre's most sagacious and progressive of minds Vaughn Benjamin, has performed and recorded across the globe. With indomitable prolificacy (which has already seen three releases just in 2011 alone), Midnite has released albums to the Reggae-listening masses which will absolutely never be forgotten. Benjamin's approach has very much seemed to be always willing and always prepared, and he has voiced for an astounding variety of musical conductors. Today there exist more than forty-five albums bearing the name Midnite, and all of them have found welcoming homes on the players of Reggae fans from every corner of the planet.
Despite the non-stop movement in pursuit of progressing his craft and delivering his message to the world, one of Benjamin's and Midnite's most fruitful stops along their journey has been with I Grade Records, which has become the dominant reggae label from the Virgin Islands. With the label, headed by producer/engineer/multi-instrumentalist Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred, Midnite has done some of their finest work through six albums - from 2001's now classic Nemozian Rasta, to their most recent collaborative effort, the soon to be classic Rule The Time from 2007. These albums are not only very strong, but their releases also very much anticipated by the fans of Midnite and justly so.
Midnite and I Grade Records are now set to deliver what is certain to be another unforgettable project, and surely their most ambitious to date by teaming up the venerable Jamaican maestro, Andrew “Bassie” Campbell. The result of this three-way collaboration is Kings Bell – a sixteen track roots masterpiece. Being Midnite’s first ever full-length collaboration with a Jamaica producer, Kings Bell is a historic release and features some of the greatest musicians the genre has ever seen including Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Squidley Cole, Mikey “Boo” Richards and Sticky Thompson.
As the driving musical force behind the album, producer and bassist Andrew "Bassie" Campbell has crafted beautiful rhythms that truly compliment the deep lyrics of Vaughn Benjamin. The power and authenticity Andrew Bassie’s productions stand out from the mass of slickly-produced modern roots coming out of Jamaica today. 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 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 and innovation of the present time.
The album's first single, the gorgeous “Mongst I & I” is set to become a landmark tune as it will become the foundation for the first-ever official Midnite music video, produced by St. Croix-based video production company Aqua Media and filmed in Frederiksted, St Croix and Kingston, Jamaica. “Mongst I & I” is a stirring anthem that reminds us of the importance of unity and collective strength in these tumultuous times.
In more than forty-five albums and in over twenty years of Midnite music nothing like this cross-fertilization of Jamaican classic roots tradition mixed with St. Croix’s own deep roots tradition has ever happened, making "Kings Bell" a glowing highlight in Midnite’s ever expanding catalog.
“Mongst I & I” single EP, including 2 remixes & a dub mix, was released digitally on September 27, 2011. "Kings Bell" full-length album available on iTunes and in stores worldwide on November 1, 2011.
10/15/11
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