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 Midnites 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 Benjamins amazing insights are distilled into poignant
lyrics poured over hard core base lines. Tuff Lions 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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