I’d been searching three years for a reggae band to record. Then I heard Midnite, just in from St. Croix. Thirty seconds of their tight, crushingly powerful bass groove ended my search. Here was the rootsiest, most spiritually pure reggae I’d heard in decades. Not just another party band singing about dope and copping Wailers’ riffs, Midnite’s songs are brilliantly poetic and devastatingly iconoclastic. And they had the guts to record without electronic cosmetics (no reverb, EQ, overdubs, etc.)—a first in reggae history. That’s why this is the cleanest, punchiest reggae sound you’ve heard—gut-wrenching electric bass (the best I’ve ever recorded), razor-sharp guitar, raw and clear vocals. (#06552)

Vaughn Benjamin, vocals
Ron Benjamin, keyboards
Tuff Lion, electric guitar
Joe Straws, electric bass
Dion (Bosie) Hopkins, drums

TRACK LISTING:

REVIEWS:

CMJ New Music Report:
reviewed by James Lien

This no-overdub, all-organic, live-in-the-studio album is a feast of heavy, pulsing reggae the likes of which is seldom heard amidst the modern chatter of drum machines, programming and hip-hop influenced dancehall remixes. Midnite vocalist Vaughan Benjamin is the pure and conscious voice of roots reggae, singing, chanting and groaning his way through Midnite's ten lengthy, bass-heavy jams. Play this record next to any vintage record from the likes of Spear, Marley or Tosh and you'll find it on par with these of its noble predecessors. For Fans Of: Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Wingless Angels. Recommended Tracks: "Pagan, Pay Gone," "In the Race So Far," "Banking The Pig," "Natty Watching You".

December 20, 1999

Dirty Linen:
reviewed by Winthrop Dahl

A triad of reggae CDs for those who are looking for some new Jah inspiration. Midnite is an adept Rastafarian band from the D.C. area, and the music they play is old-style roots reggae with no electronics, but plenty of iyer consciousness. The bass and drums are crisp, and the reasonings of the lyrics are resounding. Although one cut, "Natty Watching You," goes on for a bit too long, Ras Mek Peace is an impressive album.

October/November '00 #90