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MEK A MENSHUN

Akae Beka and Zion I Kings continued their ongoing collaboration with MEK A MENSHUN. Noted lyricist and vocalist Vaughn Benjamin delivers some of his finest compositions to date in a career now spanning twenty years. Anchored in the celebrated sound of the Zion I Kings (ZIK) players, these timeless songs amply reward the listener who can penetrate into the mystical musical realms of Rastafari.



Longtime fans of Midnite and Akae Beka will note that Vaughn Benjamin's singing on MEK A MENSHUN reaches new heights of melodic delivery and emotional intensity. Coupled with his always poetic and insight-ful lyrics, these 12 original songs rank among his best recordings to date. The title track "Mek A Menshun" includes vocals by Protoje who has transitioned from Jamaican "rising star" status to Grammy (R)-nominat-ed artist.



MEK A MENSHUN features the stellar musicianship of the ZIK distinguished in typical fashion by the rock-solid drumming of Lloyd "Junior" Richards . On this album, his playing is complemented by Aston Barrett Jr. ("By Day", "Reason", "Only Now") and Kirk Bennett ( "Kagm Mystory", "Mek A Menshun"). The signature stylings of the other core ZIK musicians are augmented by horns (Andrew "Drew Keys" Stoch -trombone, Donald "Jahbless" Toney -saxophone), flute- Sheldon "Attiba" Bernard, kette- Andrew "Bassie" Campbell, and the guitar of Chet Samuel. ZIK guitarist Andrew "Moon" Bain contributes a string arrange-ment on "Only Now". Throughout the album, Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred's spot-on organ shuffle bubbles the rhythm forward.



Many of the MEK A MENSHUN tracks were among the last recordings done by the vet-eran engineer Gary Woung. In 2016, Zion High Productions debut album with Akae Beka, LIVICATED, entered the Billboard reggae charts at # 6 and went on to become the best-selling title in a sixteen year catalog. MEK A MENSHUN is set to surpass this already considerable achievement



Hail The King

VAUGHN BENJAMIN/AKAE BEKA

Esteemed singer, poet and thinker Vaughn Benjamin, formerly known as the voice of Midnite, has adapted the name Akae Bekawhen he chose to continue his music career as lead singer of Akae Beka in 2015. Since he and Midnite entered the reggae scene in 1997 with the “Unpolished” set, the man has been extremely busy and his output is truly incredible. Within a period of 22 years he has been involved in numerous projects which led to the release of more than 60 full length albums. Besides that he also published a book of poetry titled “Koll Pekude: Word, Sound & Poems” in 2006

For his latest studio album entitled “Hail The King”, the eighth under the name Akae Beka, the charismatic artist from the US Virgin Islands has again teamed up with California’s Higher Bound Productions, which was founded by Ryan Willard in early 2000. Previous releases Midnite/Vaughn Benjamin/Akae Beka did with Higher Bound Productions include: “Bless Go Roun” (2007); “Ark A Law” (2010); and “Free Indeed” (2013).

Akae Beka’s distinctive chanting style has retained the same radiance even after so many years and albums, and also lyrically the well certainly hasn’t dried up. His lyrics are like some ancient text full of wisdom, and timeless. They are intended to make the listener think. As usual the lyrics outline a whole series of human atrocities against themselves and the environment. This all, is delivered over hypnotic, mystical riddims, which were recorded with live instrumentation at the Higher Bound Productions studio. The majority of the players of instruments involved in this project are members from the original Midnite band – currently playing in the Akae Beka band. Thus, the sound will resonate fully with longtime loyal Midnite/Vaughn Benjamin/Akae Beka fans as it has that raw St. Croix roots feeling of some of the earliest work. Most of the riddims are made up of only drums, a deafening bass and guitar, although here and there a riddim is enriched with horns, keyboard, percussion and acoustic guitar, ensuring that boredom doesn’t set in.

“Class Warfare Scorn”, the song that gets the album started, has the sound & vibes the longtime fan knows so well and appreciates so much. Great opener. Next comes the solid “One Mind”, which might require more time to grow on you. Almost the same can be said about the last track of the opening part, the totally different vibed “Estevanico”, at which a danceable tempo is transformed into a magical riddim. “Fountain” is an absolutely scorching effort and one of the best songs on this album, which actually can also be said about the next track, the compelling environmental piece “Earth Repair”. And to top it off, it’s followed by “Fe Prominence”, a huge tune with incisive lyrics. Besides that it’s the beautiful backdrop which takes a most appropriate and deserved center-stage and thrills for around 4 minutes. Then there’s the crucial “New Race”, a very interesting and fascinating song that can be ranked amongst the highlights of this collection. It’s followed by “Solid Sense”, a very nice and solid song, and the title track, “Hail The King”, an outstanding and such a satisfying praising tune. Things are rounded off by the heavyweight sounding “Winners On The Ground”, a great closer of this “Hail The King” album.

Homage To The Land

Raver Reviews: Akae Beka’s ‘Homage To The Land’

On Homage To The Land, the debut album by Akae Beka, Vaughn Benjamin forges a new path with a familiar sound. This most recent Vaughn Benjamin/Fifth Son collaboration has the signature high quality production, however with a more refined sound than previous efforts.

Akae Beka’s debut album Homage To The Land, released by Fifth Son/VPAL on November 6, 2015, was viewed by some to be the second incarnation of Midnite. On the album Vaughn Benjamin brings his unique brand of reggae with strong orchestral and jazz elements – an agile, buoyant, multi-layered sound characteristic of Fifth Son productions. Benjamin’s chant and call is backed by mandolins (“All We Be”), violins (“Right Away”), flutes (“World Citizenship”), and a whole host of brilliantly-played horns, including trombones, trumpets, and a wicked bari sax (“Homage To The Land”). The playing on the album is nearly flawless. The Fifth Son players are methodical and precise on guitars, nimbly picking apart each tune with exactness and command.

Homage To The Land is a laudable debut effort for Vaughn Benjamin under the Akae Beka moniker. As players of instruments the band is in top form as they construct a ten song set that should satisfy even the most devout and discerning of Midnite fans. Although the band experiments with an assortment of new instruments, the album’s sound does not become buried nor does the album sound overproduced. A solid album from start to finish and proof yet again that Vaughn Benjamin is one of reggae’s most dynamic talents.