Unfortunately, I had never heard the music of Midnite until a week ago when my editor assigned me this review. And how sad I am that it took me this long to find such a brilliant roots-reggae group. Kings Bell is a fantastic effort from a band of roots veterans whose sublime mastery of the form shines in every corner of this release.

Recorded in Jamaica at the legendary Tuff Gong Studio and produced by Andrew “Bassie” Campbell, Kings Bell features a number of legendary Jamaican musicians including Earl “Chinna” Smith, Sticky Thompson and Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace.

The group utilizes a chant-and-response vocal style similar to Burning Spear, along with political lyrics and Rasta leanings. There is, however, a pastoral levity to the album, a lightness and meditative sentiment that outstrips even most reggae music in terms of “chill.” While it’s undoubtedly reggae, there is a similar lying-in-the-sun ease that brings to mind memories of the American south and sparse country, folk and Americana music.

The lyrics are aggressive, pointed and bit more imaginative than your typical “Bring Down Babylon” rhetoric, utilizing dense imagery and specific references (both biblical and political). Although the songs have the fiery passion of a Baptist preacher, anger never overcomes hope, fury never chanting down righteousness.

Kings Bell is overall a fantastic roots reggae effort steeped in Jamaican tradition, though dashed with just enough individuality to suggest a step in an interesting new direction. Although with 16 tracks is a bit of a trek to get through in one listen, each track is worth far more than the mere minutes they may consume.