Midnite/Akae Beka

Please forgive me if this has been answered on this forum or elsewhere; I've never been able to get a reliable answer.

I remember when Midnite stopped touring and there was a message on their website regarding the need for time for "healing". At that time I figured that someone from the band was physically ill.(I could swear the message referenced medical attention of some sort). After Ron continued with Dezarie, I figured that the reference was to spiritual healing.

Does anyone know why this great band called it quits?? Anything beyond speculation?

mostly i feel You'll only get speculation as an answer to this unless You ask Vaughn or Ron....

--
blessid love
ras danny
higher reasoning reggae time
KBOO Portland, Full Strength Community Radio
*Love is a net that catches hearts like fish.*
-Muhammad Ali
*I don't like reggae, I love it*

Well Vaughn had some health issue which i have heard third hand was caused by poor diet. He was the one who needed healing. His voice sounded different afterwards. Why Ron split i don't know.

Love that reggae!

"Haile Selassie I, I am Jah sun, livicate I life to Ivine mention, till dem experience dem brain stem blossom"






Giving thanks!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2018 06:27PM by AztecRasta.

[soundcloud.com]

Higher Bound Productions wrote:

Greetings, NEW AKAE BEKA ALBUM “Hail The King” COMING SOON - Higher Bound Productions is proud to present the New Akae Beka Album: HAIL THE KING
releasing early March 2019.
HAIL THE KING is the result of a rare recording session with live instrumentation at the Higher Bound Productions studio with the AKAE BEKA band which includes members from MIDNITE band

Thank you Ras Adam, I dont use facebook or instagram so its great to hear news like this.

Any Bay Area reggae producers please message me.

Giving thanks!

NorCal tour dates recently announced...

Sweetwater on Thursday may 16
Moes on Friday may 17th
New parish Monday may 20

Hope more to come.

Will be good to see em again.

Last sweetwater show with spiritual was really solid.

Grass Valley - Saturday May 18, at Culture House Collective. ALL AGES
From Sista Kat:
Tickets for the Akae Beka LIVE at Culture House Collective on May 18 are on sale now on Eventbrite.
Show is now ****ALL AGES****
The first 100 tickets are $30, after that Advance Tix are $35, Day of Show $40... Give Thanks for Sharing

#GrassValley #AkaeBeka #VirginIslands #USVI

Facebook Event Link https://www.facebook.com/events/387019505415865/permalink/391594954958320/

Greetings phorum phriends - NEW AKAE BEKA snippet VIDEO on youtube now at


Behind the scenes from the making of the album
HAIL THE KING Album: iTunes pre-order link: [itunes.apple.com]


All info. is on the event page on Facebook at: [www.facebook.com]

Bless

HAIL THE KING Album is out now on all digital platforms with CDs shipping next week...
Higher Bound Productions
Releases New
AKAE BEKA Album: HAIL THE KING
Now available on all digital platforms
CDs to ship next week
Listen on iTunes Here:[itunes.apple.com]

California/St.Croix, USVI-
Higher Bound Productions is proud to present the new Akae Beka Album HAIL THE KING

HAIL THE KING is the result of a rare recording session with live instrumentation at the Higher Bound Productions studio with the majority of the members from the original MIDNITE band (currently in Akae Beka band). Thus, the original sound will resonate fully with longtime loyal MIDNITE/Vaughn Benjamin/Akae Beka fans as it has the raw St. Croix Roots feeling of some of his earliest work such as the RAS MEK PEACE & JUBILEES OF ZION albums.

HAIL THE KING is Akae Beka’s eighth album released since 2015.

HAIL THE KING is truly the vision of legendary
mystic songwriter Vaughn Benjamin as he composed/produced nine of the ten rhythms on the album, which results in a powerful mélange of Roots/Dancehall/Rockers/Steppas vibration. The
album is authentic Virgin Islands Roots with bass-heavy arrangements resulting in a timeless foundation album.

HAIL THE KING is the fifth release from
California-based Record Label/Producer
Higher Bound Productions
(Ryan "Ishence" Willard) and Vaughn Benjamin
(Akae Beka/Midnite-St. Croix, US Virgin Islands) and adds to the 65+ catalog of Albums from Benjamin, one of the world’s most prolific Rastafari philosophers & teachers.


Watch the Behind-The-Scenes
Promo Clip for
"ONE MIND" HERE:





Notable previous releases from Higher Bound Productions/ Vaughn Benjamin include:
Bless Go Roun; Free Indeed (#1 on iTunes Reggae Chart); New Name; and Ark a Law.

The tracks are intentionally not over-produced contributing to the organic feel of the album.

Stay tuned for #HailTheKing Tour Dates
TBA soon...

who is (03.) Estevanico?

--
blessid love
ras danny
higher reasoning reggae time
KBOO Portland, Full Strength Community Radio
*Love is a net that catches hearts like fish.*
-Muhammad Ali
*I don't like reggae, I love it*

Bump

Edit: Lightning in a Bottle , you ever been to that ? Looks kinda cool

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/11/2019 02:52AM by Ras Matches.

Good show last night in Santa Cruz . They are in perfect form, Vaughn’s voice was perfect. Lotta Midnite tunes as always.

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

Yep. Great set.

Mill valley show was great as well, best Akae Beka show I’ve seen in a minute. Agreed Vaughan sounded good, band was tight (new changes you me- no longer Moon on guitar and looked like new drummer as well). Songs were higher energy and shorter ( thank goodness) fully enjoyed th set.

Hail The King....latest release.....playing over and over in my Reggaemobile.....EXCELLENT!!!!! Give Thanks Higher Bound for a great album

Looking forward to Nevada city!

Giving thanks!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/19/2019 03:48AM by AztecRasta.

damn i missed the show last night. but i found this video to calm my nerves thanks Nomo

What to expect at an AB show, Great Zimbabwe Walls off the Jubilees of Zion album originally released 19 years ago

video: [m.facebook.com]

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/2019 03:03AM by Ras Matches.

You are welcome Alexandre.....





Love that reggae!

Nomo, Thank you for preserving these times.You are a reggae hero, I’m sure many worldwide would agree.

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

100% Agree! Many thanks - Nomo!

or just video addict. I'm buying a 4k camera this week for the Pure Music Fest on june 22 out in Grass Valley. Gotta keep upgrading the equipment!

Love that reggae!

i really dig that 2015 video. i ve been playing it few time. calm me down !!

this is not reggae but Sona Jobarteh is coming to CA and she is really good. here s a video

Sona is one of the few Kora players around..........great she coming to Cali!!

I’ll be at the Kuumbwa in Santa Cruz for Sona. Mulatu Astatke rescheduled his stop in Berkeley for later in the year

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

Both were just released on wax.

Does anybody have a contact at African Roots Label? We need some reissues because used copies are outrageously priced and there is no place to legally download them -

Jubilees Of Zion 2000
Seek Knowledge Before Vengeance 2002
Ainshant Maps 2004
Scheme A Things 2004
What Makes A King 2010
Anthology 2011
Lion out of Zion 2013

And most of Dezaries catalog also.

Quote
Does anybody have a contact at African Roots Label? We need some reissues because used copies are outrageously priced and there is no place to legally download them -

Agreed it's f'ing robbery

But I say... Some Never Even Plant yet want to Reap,
If you run, be careful, try to look before you leap;
Took a little walk from my Vineyard...
Now I'm on my own
Now I'm left alone..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2019 07:31PM by papaken.

if you agree to pay that price, it ain't robbery.
if people just don't buy, that might help bring down crazy price points.

people can't always have everything they desire, and that's OK. learn to be grateful for what you do have!
(this is never what folks want to hear, though...)

m.

* [www.kboo.fm]
* [www.shocksofsheba.podomatic.com]

Whats the name of this song?

Giving thanks!

Good question, i've never heard that first one.

Love that reggae!

Quote
if you agree to pay that price, it ain't robbery.

I get your point but you oughtta be able to buy Jubilees Of Zion 2000 or Seek Knowledge Before Vengeance 2002 for less than $100.00

But I say... Some Never Even Plant yet want to Reap,
If you run, be careful, try to look before you leap;
Took a little walk from my Vineyard...
Now I'm on my own
Now I'm left alone..

Papaken I agree, one of the last Midnite shows I went to, they happened to have a few copies of Jubilees of Zion for sale. Unfortunately with the ease of access for streaming, many of their (And Dezarie) crucial albums aren't included

On a positive note, AKAE BEKA, FIRST TIME IN MAINE! July 27th Prospect, Maine. I tried to copy the flyer into the phorum, but my skills only go so far as video.

If you can make it definitely attend the shows, as RasTantan says, 5hey have CDs. The last show I picked up 2 copies of standing ground dub and 1 Ark a Law,$15 each.

Sorry, but I am one of those who flips CDs on discogs for outrageous prices so I can buy more music. I am also one of those people who pay those outrageous prices , $40 for a 7” Al Campbell plus shipping from France, $140 for Dezarie’s Fya vinyl etc etc..

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

Yeah - have a couple Midnite vinyls over $100.
Special evening when I play them.

Boy, I am glad I got some of their early stuff on vinyl when it hit the market. I've never, ever, paid 100 bills for an album. That is nuts.

I will say that my stock of midnite records & cd's gets a shockingly large amount of play, and the wear is starting to be evident.

Knowing the current replacement costs is eye-opening, sort of the opposite of the usual midnite-effect.

The most I've ever paid for an LP is $45 for Misty in Roots' Earth. Would never pay more than that. Ebay sellers asking $100+ for oop CD's need to listen to Midnites Check Ya Self off the Cipheraw CD!

Yeah.... why do bands even sell CDs? Music should be free

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/19/2019 10:39PM by Ras Matches.

I checked every reggae CD in Ameoba Records in Berkeley today and not one midnite/akae beka album, nothing. Im looking for Ainshant Maps and jubilees of Zion

Giving thanks!

I don't procrastinate since the change to Akae Beka. I snap up a copy pretty quick on release. I like this ebay seller called vi reggae vibes. They do a good job (no affiliation).

Since the change to Akae Beka my favorite has been Portals. That's an amazing set. Unfortunately, the remaining copies are already selling for north of $50.

I had pHail The King playing in my reggaemobile for weeks...non-stop

KILLER cd!

Quote
Donovan
I don't procrastinate since the change to Akae Beka. I snap up a copy pretty quick on release. I like this ebay seller called vi reggae vibes. They do a good job (no affiliation).

Since the change to Akae Beka my favorite has been Portals. That's an amazing set. Unfortunately, the remaining copies are already selling for north of $50.

Vi_reggae_vibes is a great eBay seller, he’s usually got a lot of Midnite for sale. Check it

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

Quote
Alexandre

This is such a great release! Had it going non-stop in my reggae truck for weeks! Looking forward to the latest release

Ever forward

Jah Son

Akae Beka + Indubious + Alcyon Massive & Free Creatures + Bondon Spann & The Bambu King...
appears @ Sugarloaf Comunity Land in Williams, OR - Sept 14, 2019

Giving Thanks to Ras Elijah Tafari for the Blessed Artistry
*In Case of Wildfire Smoke, Alternative Location TBA.

--
blessid love
ras danny
higher reasoning reggae time
KBOO Portland, Full Strength Community Radio
*Love is a net that catches hearts like fish.*
-Muhammad Ali
*I don't like reggae, I love it*



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2019 07:02PM by Ras Danny.

Akae Beka feat. Protoje - Mek A Menshun - single - listen/buy

--
blessid love
ras danny
higher reasoning reggae time
KBOO Portland, Full Strength Community Radio
*Love is a net that catches hearts like fish.*
-Muhammad Ali
*I don't like reggae, I love it*

BIgggg tune! Nice to hear Vaughn with a contemporary artist, bless up

Release date for full Mek A Menshun album is July 26, 2019. I'm assuming the options will be Download and CD.

Higher Bound Productions posted on Insta the other day that "Hail the King" is going to get a vinyl release through Baco records. No date announced yet

Is any idren ready to proclaim Akae Beka now as good or better than the original Midnite? This thread's comments seem to implicitly welcome a return to the original band as well as a preference to their older records. Bumper sticker idea: "Reunite Midnite." I remember curiously attending one of their shows at Moe's in Rasta Cruz shortly after the band/name switch. About a quarter to half the audience--myself included--were headed to the exit about 30min. into the set. Didn't have nearly the same energy or vibe as any of the Midnite shows/sets. Not even close.

Quote
Donovan
Release date for full Mek A Menshun album is July 26, 2019. I'm assuming the options will be Download and CD.

if ones look at the link above that i provided for listening/buying, ones would read that this is the case.
You'll get both the digital AND the CD if pre-purchasing through that Bandcamp page...

"digital album releases July 26, 2019
item ships out on or around August 9, 2019"

--
blessid love
ras danny
higher reasoning reggae time
KBOO Portland, Full Strength Community Radio
*Love is a net that catches hearts like fish.*
-Muhammad Ali
*I don't like reggae, I love it*

Midnite can never be replicated, but I've seen Akae Beka several times now, and they get better each time. Their sets will never be as epic as Midnite, but the vibe is still there and Vaughn is still as lyrically potent as ever!

Vaughn and co. have got to be one of the hardest working bands in reggae . He still puts out 2 albums a year. They were just on your in May and have already released and are currently scheduling mores shows for the newest release.

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

IRIEMON, There is no comparison. It's different, but I'd say Vaughn is still on top of his game, and the new line up is solid. Reggabe, Agree entirely. I saw Akae Beka in VT last december, they had a pretty serious bounce with the new members, almost more lively than some of the Midnite shows I've seen, and an improvement since the last time I saw them. It was only 1.5 hours, which is short compared to Midnite, but didn't disappoint. I've been listening to a lot of full Midnite shows recently, glad to have caught them as early as I did, but thankful that Vaughn is still touring as much as he is. I'd say they're studio releases remain as strong as ever.

Hail The King is an incredible album! Lyrically it's right up there with anything by Midnite...

I agree !!! Played this non stop for weeks in my Reggaemobile and now on the air....

Jah Son

Quote
Midnite can never be replicated, but I've seen Akae Beka several times now, and they get better each time. Their sets will never be as epic as Midnite, but the vibe is still there and Vaughn is still as lyrically potent as ever!

Agree with you Reggabe (as usual). Last time they were here in Austin -Dercember 15th- was epic.

But I say... Some Never Even Plant yet want to Reap,
If you run, be careful, try to look before you leap;
Took a little walk from my Vineyard...
Now I'm on my own
Now I'm left alone..

Quote
RasTantan
Higher Bound Productions posted on Insta the other day that "Hail the King" is going to get a vinyl release through Baco records. No date announced yet

That’s great! Baco did Marcus Gads vinyl and they both sound great. Baco is out of France which is $15 shipping , so you might as well get the Marcus Gad releases too if your gonna get the Hail the King. Save on shipping.

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

After Akae Beka's "Hail The KIng", the other two CDs I have been bingeing on are Marcus Gad's "Enter a Space" and "Chanting"....soooooo good!

Agreed regarding Marcus gad, I can listen to both those albums over and over, so irie, deep meditation style. Seeing him this past spring in Spain was epic, strong performer, humble, and still gaining sight on how massive his fan base is. Would love to see him next year for SNWMF, perfect fit! Bless up

Quote
teachdem
Agreed regarding Marcus gad, I can listen to both those albums over and over, so irie, deep meditation style. Seeing him this past spring in Spain was epic, strong performer, humble, and still gaining sight on how massive his fan base is. Would love to see him next year for SNWMF, perfect fit! Bless up

I second the nomination for Marcus Gad for next year's SNWMF.....a perfect fit indeed!

Jah Son

Quote
Ras_Adam

From the website, Yami Bolo with Quinto Sol are rescheduled from the San Diego Vegan show to appear here at he LA show



“Blues, Metal, Reggae”



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2019 03:08AM by Ras Matches.

anyone know who are the players on instruments?

- Give Thanks

waiting on Ron's next release!

Giving thanks!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2019 04:35AM by AztecRasta.

Yes I, Aztec, definitely has a live band sound and reminds me of the vibe & sound on "Hail the King" which lists the names of the players on instruments for each track.

Seriously? With a Vibe like that how could it be anyone but Ron Benjamin...!

So, Daniel,
Are the artists on that tune the Midnite band that was last touring as might be assumed based on the pictures that compliment the video, or do you know?

Quote
AztecRasta

Quote
IYah_Trod




anyone know who are the players on instruments?

- Give Thanks

Has a live band recording sound, doesn't sound like Ron Benjamin production (not enough base).

I like the Hail the King album , they used everybody from Midnite for the studio recording except Ron.





“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

Rasta to the bone!

Giving thanks!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2019 04:34AM by AztecRasta.

Quote
IYah_Trod




anyone know who are the players on instruments?

- Give Thanks

This is from Midnite’s Lion Out Of Zion released in 2013, it’s African Roots Lab by Ron. Discogs.com


Here are the credits off Akae Beka’s Hail The King released in March of this year. Discogs.com

Here are the albums produced by Ron, this list may be incomplete. Discogs.com

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

Also If you are going to pre order the new Mek a Menshun by Akae Beka, I suggest you do it now. IRoots only has 5 copies left for pre order.

I was reading somewhere Vaughn is up to 73 albums.

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

great, thanks Ras Matches for the details!

Giving thanks!

Ras Matches: Give Thanks, for the info on Jah n I!
Jah Bless

"Hail the King" and Mek a Menshun" should both be nominated for a Grammy this year.
"Portals" was a winner in my book too..

Quote
Ras_Adam

Greetings Phorum Phriends,
All are invited to the Los Angeles Reggae Vegan Festival on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Macarthur Park


Sunday, September 15, 2019
San Diego Reggae Vegan Fest with Akae Beka [formerly MIDNITE Band], Yami Bolo, Sister Nancy,Nadine Sutherland, Prezident Brown and more plus 100% vegan cuisine and beverage, clothing, and other products, speakers on health, food, environment, and animals. Every ticket sold feeds 10 children.
Noon – 9pm
All Ages
GA: $35 advance online
www.ReggaeVeganFest.com
Kids 12 & Under Are Free with paid adult

Go Vegan Radio (501(c) 3) presents The 2nd annual LA Reggae Vegan Fest on
September 15th at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles

It will be good vibes and A-List performers on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at the Los Angeles Reggae Vegan Fest at MacArthur Park. The festival will be Noon – 9pm and is an All Ages event. Tickets are $35 advance online, Kids 12 & under Are Free with paid adult. Reggae legends will be performing live including: Akae Beka [formerly MIDNITE Band, from the US Virgin Islands], Yami Bolo, Sister Nancy, Nadine Sutherland, Prezident Brown [All from Jamaica], Lamour & The Mystic Band [from Haiti], and more. The festival features 100% vegan cuisine and beverage, clothing, and other products, expert speakers on health, food, environment, and animals. Every ticket sold feeds 10 children.
AKAE BEKA – Hailing from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, legendary mystic Roots Reggae Chanter Vaughn Benjamin is the front man of Akae Beka, after a 20+ year run with the highly acclaimed MIDNITE Band. Often charting on Billboard and featured on Apple Music, he has released 73 albums and is currently touring promoting the most recent release “Mek A Menshun”.
YAMI BOLO - Co-starring at San Diego Reggae Vegan Fest is Yami Bolo from Kingston Jamaica, who has been releasing singles since the 1980’s. He gained international acclaim in the mid-90’s for his collaboration with Japanese reggae performer Miya which led to 500,000 record album sales in Japan. The duo also won the title of Best Music Video in Japan in 1994. Bolo was a part of Damian Marley’s 2001 Grammy - winning album and has collaborated with other top stars.
SISTER NANCY - She is known to the world as the first female dancehall DJ and was described as being a "dominating female voice for over two decades" on the dancehall scene. One of her most famous songs is "Bam Bam", labeled as a "well-known reggae anthem" by BBC and a "classic" by The Observer.
Nadine Sutherland (mentored by Bob Marley himself, and the first artist ever signed to his Tuff Gong record label)…
The line-up also includes Popular Jamaican Singer/songwriter, recording and performing artist Prezident Brown, Haitian local roots-reggae favorites, Lamour & the Mystik Band fronted by General Jah Mikey; and more
(Line-up subject to change).
While reggae music is center stage for concert activities, vegan food is center stage in the festival with a veritable smorgasbord on tap from some of the area’s top restaurants and chefs, some doing food demonstrations.
Each ticket purchased feeds vegan meals to ten hungry kids around the world through a partnership with Food for Life Global.
Non-Profit Go Vegan Radio has a rich history in event organization, starting in 1999 with the vegan &San Diego Fall-Fest& in Ocean Beach, followed by WorldFest—LA in 2000 (now VegFest LA). Along the way, there were vegan festivals in Orange County and the San Fernando Valley, and the World Vegan Summit &Expo in LA and Berkeley. LA Reggae Vegan Fest debuted last year, celebrating the vegan - or Ital - roots of reggae.
“Reggae Vegan Fests are committed to ‘One Love, All Species,’ for the animals, for human health, for environmental sustainability”, says event producer, Bob Linden, President of the non-profit: Go Vegan Radio Inc., “The ‘One Love’ philosophy includes the animals.” Bay Area - based Linden is no stranger to San Diego. He was Program Director of 98.1 KIFM in the heyday of that station’s greatest popularity around 1990. Bob was active in the animal rights community and at the forefront in defense of the seals and sea lions and the rookery in La Jolla. Go Vegan Radio with Bob Linden, the first vegan talk show in mainstream media ever, started in 2001, and was subsequently heard on the Air America Radio Network, on KLSD and KCEO in San Diego, and K-TALK in Los Angeles, and CBS and Clear Channel radio stations across the country. It continues as a weekly podcast at www.GoVeganRadio.com
Tickets for the Los Angeles Reggae Vegan Fest are $35 in advance and more at the gate.
Advance tickets are available at www.ReggaeVeganFest.com and on the
Eventbrite Ticketing platform at: [www.eventbrite.com]
. Kids 12 & under are free.
For more information, contact info@ReggaeVeganFest.com
310-571-8623.
MEDIA APPLICATION HERE: [www.reggaeveganfest.com]
Line-up updates are available on www.facebook.com/reggaeveganfest or
www.instagram.com/reggaeveganfest
www.ReggaeVeganFest.com

Reggae on the Beach Trinidad , Humboldt September 13 Brown Paper tickets

“Blues, Metal, Reggae”

Not sure if this was mentioned but -

Hail The King (Lp) Akae Beka - Akae Beka (LP) - is now available.

LINK