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Musicians:
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| Bass: |
Kenyatta Itola, Vaughn Benjamin, Laurent
"Tippy" Alfred |
| Drums: |
Dion Hopkins, Vaughn Benjamin, Laurent
"Tippy" Alfred, Phillip Merchant |
| Guitar: |
Tuff Lion, Laurent "Tippy" Alfred, Vaughn
Benjamin |
| Keyboards: |
Vaughn Benjamin, Laurent "Tippy"
Alfred, Eric Williams |
| Vocals: |
Vaughn Benjamin |
| Arrangements: |
Vaughn Benjamin, Laurent "Tippy" Alfred,
Kenyatta Itola |
Recorded and Mixed by Laurent "Tippy" Alfred
Release date: September 2, 2003
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Track List:
- All Ye Naashan
- See Blah Sum
- Cradle Of Joy
- Thanks For Life
- Yeah Many
- Thank You Lord
- Nativity
- Far I
- Days Come
- Structa
- Ru Be
- Economics Out In The Raw
- Scornful
- Blackson Rays
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| Review: I Grade and Midnite
have once again come together to collaborate on "Vijan",
the latest dose of St. Croix roots reggae to be unveiled by I Grade Records. Vijan features Midnite’s mystical
lead vocalist, Vaughn Benjamin, and drummer Dion Hopkins
joining Laurent "Tippy" Alfred, Tuff Lion and Kenyatta
Itola on 14 wonderful selections.
Vijan continues the Midnite tradition of unrelenting
lyrics that seem to penetrate deeper and deeper each time they are listened to. Vaughn
Benjamin’s amazing insights are distilled into poignant lyrics poured over
hard core base lines. Tuff Lion’s delicate and melodic riffs are
gently stirred into the mix to create an intense spiritual and musical potion.
What is particularly intriguing about ‘ Vijan’
is how producers Vaughn Benjamin and Laurent ‘Tippy"
Alfred are able to maintain a pure roots sound over such diverse tempos. From the
pounding nyahbinghi of "Structa" to the
light-hearted melody of "Cradle Of Joy". From the
soulful sound of "Scornful" to the acoustical
selections "Days Come" and "Blackson Rays". Vaughn also demonstrates his
musical abilities by playing all the instruments on "Thanks for Life".
Vijan is the 10th album to have been released by Midnite.
Their four albums (Unpolished, Ras Mek Peace, Jubilees of Zion, Seek
Knowledge Before Vengeance) are complimented by the two previous I Grade
collaborations: Nemozian Rasta and Assini, and the Midnite
Branch I projects: Cipheraw, Geoman
and He is Jah.
To all lovers of the cultural roots reggae music that used to be so
abundant in Jamaica, I say "Look to the east". For right now on the island of
St. Croix, there is a caldron of conscious roots music getting ready to explode. Midnite
and I Grade Records
stand at the forefront of this movement, and Vijan is an excellent
release that deserves to be added to the collection of all reggae music lovers.
Daniel - Ireggae
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