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Midnite I Grade
Vijan
I Grade Records
2003
Midnite I Grade - Vijan

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Vijan is the third collaboration project between St. Croix roots sensation, Midnite, and I Grade Records that blazes a unique fire combination of word, sound and powa. The musical approach to Vijan is refreshingly undefinable with its creative arrangements and mystical sound quality.

Track List Liner Notes Reviews Buy CD Real Audio Stream
Midnite I Grade - Vijan Buy CD

Track List:

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Real Audio

Real Audio

1. All Ye Nations Real Audio 8.

Far I

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2. See Blah Sum Real Audio 9.

Days Come

Real Audio
3. Cradel Of Joy Real Audio 10.

Structa

Real Audio
4. Thanks For Life Real Audio 11.

Ru Be

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5. Yeah Many Real Audio 12.

Economics Out In The Row

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6. Thank The Lord Real Audio 13.

Scornful

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7. Nativity Real Audio 14.

Blackson Rays

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Liner Notes

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01. All Ye Nations - Arranged by Vaughn Benjamin.  Drums, Bass, Keys: Vaughn Benjamin; Guitar: Laurant "Tippy" Alfred
02. See Blah Sum - Arranged by Vaughn Benjamin.  Drums: Dion 'Bosie' Hopkins; Bass, Keys, Lead Guitar: Darryl; Rhythm Guitar:Tippy; Keys, Hand Drums: Vaughn Benjamin
03. Cradle Of Joy - Arranged by Laurant "Tippy" Alfred. Drums, Bass, Keys, Rhythm Guitar: Lead Guitar: Tuff Lion
04. Thanks For Life - Arranged by Vaughn Benjamin.  Drums, Bass, Keys: Vaughn Benjamin; Guitar: Laurant "Tippy" Alfred
05. Yeah Many - Arranged by Vaughn Benjamin.  Drums, Bass, Keys: Vaughn Benjamin; Guitar: Laurant "Tippy" Alfred
06. Thank The Lord - Arranged by Laurant "Tippy" Alfred & Kenyatta Itol. Drums: Dion 'Bosie" Hopkins; Bass: Kenyatta; Guitar: Tippy
07. Nativity - Arranged by Vaughn Benjamin.  Drums: Dion 'Bosie" Hopkins; Bass, Keys: Vaughn Benjamin; Guitar: Tippy
08. Far I - Arranged by Vaughn Benjamin.  Drums: Jamaki; Bass, Keys: Vaughn Benjamin; Guitar: Tippy
09. Days Come - Arranged by Laurant "Tippy" Alfred. Guitars by Tippy and Tuff Lion
10. Structa - Arranged by Vaughn Benjamin, Laurant "Tippy" Alfred & Kenyatta Itol. Drums: Dion 'Bosie" Hopkins; Bass, Keys: Kenyatta; Keys: Tippy; Guitar: Tuff Lion
11. Ru Be - Arranged by Laurant "Tippy" Alfred. Drums, Bass, Keys, Guitars: Tippy; Additional Keys: Eric Williams
12. Economics Out In The Raw - Arranged by Vaughn Benjamin & Laurant "Tippy" Alfred. Drums, Bass, Keys: Tippy; Keys: Vaughn Benjamin
13. Scornful - Arranged by Laurant "Tippy" Alfred. Drums, Bass, Keys: Tippy; Guitars: Tuff Lion
14. Blackson Rays - Arranged by Laurant "Tippy" Alfred. Rhythm Guitar: Tippy; Slide Guitar: Tuff Lion; Hand Drums: Vaughn Benjamin
Recorded and Mixed by: Laurant "Tippy" Alfred
Artwork by Marcus

I Grade RecordsContact Info:
I Grade Records, LLC
P.O. Box 223281
Christiansted, St. Croix
U.S. V.I.  00822
Tel: (646) 226-1738
(340) 773-6628

More Midnite I Grade

Midnite I Grade - Let Live Midnite I Grade - Vijan
Midnite I Grade - Assini Midnite I Grade - Nemozian Rasta


More Music From Midnite

Midnite - Ainshant Maps Midnite - Scheme A Things
Midnite - Intense Pressure Midnite - Seek Knowledge Before Vengeance
Midnite - Jubilees Of Zion Midnite - Jubilees Of Zion
Midnite - Ras Mek Peace Midnite - Unpolished


Album Reviews
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Ireggae:
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 (RAW#495)
Ireggae.com

Reggae Vibes:
First there was "Nemozian Rasta", then came "Assini" and now there's "Vijan", the much anticipated third collaboration project between one of reggae's best surprises in recent years, St. Croix's sensational roots band Midnite, and I Grade Records. Crediting the music on this cd to "A Midnite-I Grade Collaboration" means that it's not an official release by the group, even though it sounds a lot like Midnite. - More

Ray X:
Another very important album from the Virgin Island based band. Midnite at this moment in time are one of the most important reggae bands ever. What is interesting is our they combine the best traditions of Jamaica bands - studio based outfits working on and with a number of producers and labels, like Soul Syndicate, The Roots Radics, Now Generation, in this instance I Grade. - More

Reggae Reviews:
There's little doubt that Midnite remains at the cutting edge of reggae music, although for some listeners, that edge may be a bit too sharp at times.  Vijan is a good example.  As with the Midnite-I Grade Collaboration Nemozian Rasta, this album has an experimental sound, this one in particular more akin to the offshoot Midnite Branch I than to the usual Midnite sound itself (not surprising, since Midnite Branch I 's Geoman is an I Grade release also). - More

 

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