- Midnite
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This article is about band. For the term meaning "the middle of the night", see Midnight.
Midnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.
The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which gives their music a spiritually intense and an overtly Rastafari movement feel. The lyrics are centrally focused on the plights of the oppressed, the inherent faults of the current political, economic and social settings on a global scale, and the redemption available to mankind through a life dedicated to Jah.
Contents
History
The band was started by Benjamin brothers Vaughn (vocals) and Ron (keyboard, but later switched to bass), and has been playing since 1989. They recorded Ras Mek Peace (Before Reverb and Without Delay) while living in Washington, D.C. during the mid-90s. The album was named so, because it was reportedly recorded live in one room with only two microphones. Its clarity and full sound are thus remarkable. Later, they returned home to St. Croix in the late '90s to play with local musicians and record at their music studio, African Roots Lab.
Midnite frequently collaborates with new artists and has played as the back-up band on a number of African Roots Lab artists' releases, such as Dezarie's Fya and Gracious Mama Africa and Ikahba's Trodding to Zion.
In September 2011, Midnite released their first professionally produced music video for their song "Mongst I&I" [1]. The video features members of the band in casual settings and depicts the rastafarian culture in Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands (referred to as "Freedom City," St. Croix), and Kingston, Jamaica.
Releases
- King's Bell Midnite (November 2011)
- Anthology Midnite (July 2011)
- The Way Midnite/Rastar (June 2011)
- Standing Ground Dub Midnite/ Fith Son (2011)
- Treasure Midnite/Rastar (2011)
- Momentum Midnite/Fifth Son (2010)
- What Makes A King? Midnite (2010)
- Ark A Law Midnite/Lion I (2010)
- Frontline Midnite/Various (2009)
- Kings Of Kush Midnite/Rastar Mix (2009)
- To Mene Midnite/Rastar (2009)
- Ina Now Midnite/Rastar (2009)
- Defender Of The Faith Midnite/Various (2009)
- New Name Midnite/Various (2009)
- Infinite Dub Lustre Kings (2008)
- For All with Youssoupha Sidibe (2008)
- Supplication To H.I.M. with Rastar (2008)
- Standing Ground with Lion Tribe (2008)
- Live 94117 (2008)
- KayaMagan with Desmond Williams (Released 2008 but recorded in 1999)
- Maschaana with Natural Vibes (2008)
- Bless Go Roun with Higher Bound Productions (2007)
- Infinite Quality with Lustre Kings (2007)
- Better World Rasta with Rastar 2007
- Rule the Time with I Grade (2007)
- Suns of Atom with Lion Tribe (2006)
- New1000 with Mystic Vision (2006)
- Thru & True with Ras L (2006)
- Current with Mystic Vision (2006)
- Jah Grid with I Grade (2006)
- Let Live with I Grade (2004)
- Ainshant Maps (2004)
- Full Cup with Ras L (2004)
- Scheme a Things (2004)
- Project III" with Branch I (2004)
- He is Jah with Branch I (2003)
- Geoman" with Branch I (2003)
- Vijan with I Grade (2003)
- Intense Pressure (2003)
- Cipheraw with Branch I (2003)
- Assini with I Grade (2002)
- Seek Knowledge Before Vengeance (2002)
- Jubilees of Zion (2002)
- Nemozian Rasta with Dezarie and I Grade (2001)
- Ras Mek Peace (1999)
- Unpolished (1997)
Notes
- ^ Press Release, Jamaicans.com
External links
Categories:- Reggae musical groups
- People from Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
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