Midnite
is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The band's music follows in tradition with the legendary 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 overtly Rastafarian 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.
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MIDNITE TICKETS
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History
The band was started by brothers Vaughn (vocals) and Ron (keyboard, but later switched to bass) Benjamin, 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 is 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
.
Since returning to the
U.S. Virgin Islands, the name Midnite has become mostly associated with singer
Vaughn Benjamin and the band seldom records as a unit. Most releases feature Vaughn on vocals and an evolving group of collaborators performing or programming the back-up.
An interview found from the on-line edition of the Virgin Island newspaper, the St. Croix Source, dated 3 December 2006, Phil Merchant, a drummer and bass-player, suggested that Midnite as a collective unit has broken up, since he has formed a new band with other former Midnite players, now called: D.A.P.P.
Releases
- 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 (Before Reverb and Without Delay)
(1999)
- Unpolished
(1997)