March 29 street date. Vaughn Benjamin, the voice of Midnite and Akae Beka, was one of the best and most prolific reggae vocalists of the modern era. He was a scholar, poet, teacher, and solver of mysteries. A voracious reader, he was incredibly creative - constantly writing poems and songs. Those close to him advise that he had a photographic memory, which helps explain the broad field of topics he discussed with precise detail in his work. He released over 70 albums in a 25-year period. LIVING TESTAMENT is the final album Vaughn Benjamin recorded before he transitioned in November of 2019. In late October of 2019, he travelled to Grass Valley, California, recording this 11-track album at Ras Biblical’s studio, Trinity Farm, over a period of 2 days. The producers gathered 11 masterful musicians on these tracks, including Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra, Denfield “Ras Pulse” Potter, Walker Pillow, Scott Lynwood Davis, Befekadu Assefa and Tuff Lion. Together, these musicians weaved together a powerful family of songs that that tell a timeless and truly unique story, a masterpiece of roots reggae.
March 29 street date. Vaughn Benjamin, the voice of Midnite and Akae Beka, was one of the best and most prolific reggae vocalists of the modern era. He was a scholar, poet, teacher, and solver of mysteries. A voracious reader, he was incredibly creative - constantly writing poems and songs. Those close to him advise that he had a photographic memory, which helps explain the broad field of topics he discussed with precise detail in his work. He released over 70 albums in a 25-year period. LIVING TESTAMENT is the final album Vaughn Benjamin recorded before he transitioned in November of 2019. In late October of 2019, he travelled to Grass Valley, California, recording this 11-track album at Ras Biblical’s studio, Trinity Farm, over a period of 2 days. The producers gathered 11 masterful musicians on these tracks, including Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra, Denfield “Ras Pulse” Potter, Walker Pillow, Scott Lynwood Davis, Befekadu Assefa and Tuff Lion. Together, these musicians weaved together a powerful family of songs that that tell a timeless and truly unique story, a masterpiece of roots reggae.
April 19 street date. Two of the deepest thinkers in reggae music, Vaughn Benjamin and Chronixx, trade reflections on their collaboration, 'Black Carbon.' Originally released on the 2021 album 'Polarities,' the song is available for the first time as a vinyl single, backed by its dub version. Adorned with the swirling flute of Sheldon Bernard (Beres Hammond, Harmony House) and David Pransky’s brittle, Kora-like mandolin, the twin reggae intellects, with their uniquely delicate voices, introspect on how 'all ah we forward from the same carbon.'The song's message juxtaposes the unity that binds us with a critique of the prevailing narratives and structures that weaken this bond. It underscores the universal truth that we all originate from the same elemental blackness—a truth mirrored throughout humanity and the entire spectrum of creation. Yet, it pointedly highlights how this shared essence is often unrecognized or undervalued in the social and political realms, especially for nations and diasporas connected by the original human hue. The A-side vocal mix is followed by Tippy I’s lavish, questing dub, bringing the instrumentation to the fore. Produced by Vaughn and Zion I Kings.
April 19 street date. Two lyrical and spiritual forces meet, as Akae Beka and Ivorian veteran Tiken Jah Fakoly awaken the profound realization that all is inherently blessed, encouraging us to accept life as it unfolds. Produced by Zion I Kings, Everything Bless is a gentle yet powerful reminder to embrace the present moment, cherish the divine connection with our spiritual kin, and nurture inner peace and contentment. Vaughn Benjamin meditates on the need for both determination and trust, while the ancient voiced Tiken sings in Bambara, over Mamadou Sidiki Diabate’s cascading Kora, reassuring that Jah will guide. The accompanying dub version pares down drums and vocals, maintaining the same sense of joy. Taken from 2021’s album Polarities, Everything Bless is released as a seven-inch vinyl single for the first time on via Before Zero Records.
April 19 street date. Sagacious reggae lyricist Vaughn Benjamin’s words are particularly cutting during Sow And The Reap, the final recording of Vaughns immense catalog of works with I Grade Records. Produced by Zion I Kings, and taken from 2021’s album Polarities, Sow And The Reap folds topics of political dominance, mass migration, and injustice into a thought provokingly coherent whole. The song brims with Vaughn’s characteristic dual-meaning wordplay, using evocative metaphors of nature and agriculture to illuminate global policy. Sow And The Reap’s timeless lyrical principles are matched by its inexorable reggae rhythm, featuring hefty, programmed drums by Romain “Teflon Zincfence” Arnett, and sombre trombone and space age synth, both supplied by much missed multi-instrumentalist Drew Keys. Backed by its correspondingly haunting dub.
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