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Midnite Brings Black Mamba
to The Observatory
Sunday April 15th, 2012
The Observatory ~
Santa Ana, CA
By: Ranking Kirk
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Sunday April 15th,
2012 Midnite performed at The Observatory formerly named The Galaxy, which
has under gone a number of changes to improve the look, feel and sound of
the club.
The Observatory stage and sound system where dialed in for the show, with
some great lighting and some of the loudest bass heard at any recent Midnite
show that I have attended.. The stage area and dance floor shook with the
one drop bass lines dropped. During the short sound check prior to
starting…..through the first song of the show Ron looked surprised to hear
his bass pounding the crowd, brilliantly with out the need to turn it up
“for Once”. Compared the Sainte Rocke show I attended three days prior this
was a truly energized version of Midnite that delivered loud, and ranking
versions of their songs. Vaughn took his vocals to his highest power
demonstrating his range from singing, chanting, harmonizing, to the true
artistry of his verse magnified by his full vocal range. From Kings Bell, he
delivered “Black Mamba” to a great crowd reception. “Ring Out A Chant” was
styled into a long verse of “love is going to win this one” that vibed on
blissfully into the night. The mix delivered by the sound crew, kept Vaughn
on his toes, with reverb, echo….. the sound was masterfully dub styled to
another level song by song. At times Vaughn had to smile when he heard his
verse transformed into a reverb floating onto the ranking wall of sound, his
give and take with the sound crew and Ron’s screams also mixed in took the
mix to new level.
Midnite, the band consists of Vaughn Benjamin (words & vocals), Ron Benjamin
(bass & vocals), Christian Molina (drums), Edmund Fieulleteau (rhythm
guitar), Edwin (Kenny) Byron (guitar), and Ras L. (keyboards). The Benjamin
brothers are the heart and soul of Midnite with their current line up of
handpicked musicians of similar mind. Midnite as a band and Vaughn Benjamin
as the vocalist and “the” Rastafarian roots soul messenger, song writer, and
lyricist.
My attempt to name the songs played include: 1-His Majesty (Rule the time)
2-Don't Move (Lion's Dread) 3-Mighty Race (Jubilees of Zion) 4-Ainshant Maps
(Ainshant Maps) 5-Proceed (Live 94117) 6-Batter Ram Sound (Jubilees of Zion)
7-Black Mamba (Kings Bells) 8-Lion Wears a Crown (Ras Mek Peace) 9-Mediation
(Unpolished) 10-Ring Out A Chant (Jubilees of Zion) 11-Propaganda
(Unpolished). Each song styled into a fifteen plus minute vibe, with Vaughn
free styling within each song.
Midnite delivered to unfortunately small Sunday night crowd at The
Observatory two hours and twenty minutes of roots on roots, a raw dose of
bass thumping, with masterfully mixed side of reverb, which resulted in full
session of soul rattling. A stellar Midnite performance. The dedicated crowd
still wanted more…….when the night ended.
Give Thanks
Rankingkirk
93561
Rankingkirk is a Journalist, musician, and music researcher. Writing
about the music industry since the 80’s with articles and reviews published
from the English Beat to the Rolling Stones. Rankingkirk is a follower of
the Midnite Roots message from over 30 live performances.
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