We live in a world that accepts American hip-hop as authentic but American reggae as flaccid. Sort of like looking for french fries in Chinatown--sure you can find it, but it's not the best, so why bother? American reggae has had a hard time finding an international audience that deem their music as authentic and as real as Marley, Tosh, or Beenie Man. There are subtle yet reinforced reminders that only real reggae comes from Jamaica, and no other place has the ability to produce talent that competes with the homegrown originals of Jamaican music. The charts, DJs and journalists constantly remind us of whose riddim and whose song is #1 in Jamaica. The award shows always hone in on strictly Jamaican reggae artists and therefore omit a great market and talent that is out there, pumping out great reggae music just the same. The time has come, for the many who thought only good authentic reggae comes from Jamaica-- to bite their tongues.
"Time is not counted from daylight, but from Midnite"
As an avid listener of reggae music, I am certain and definite when I hear true reggae that is thought provoking, heartfelt, and just damn good. It has been said that not everyone can play reggae, and I truly agree with that--it takes a certain vibration and sensibility to get the rhythms and timing right. Many times American bands lack the complete formula to provide consistent and full music and this can leave audiences limp. After all, many average bands have to avert to Marley tunes in between their own to keep the momentum. There is a need to keep covers on their playlists or their albums. For once I have come across a band who uses no filler, no derivatives and no covers to create an original sound of their own, and the st.Croix-based Midnite is that band.
Midnite's founders are Gainde Ron Benjamin, keyboardist and musical director and his brother, Vaughn Benjamin, lead vocalist and principle songwriter. Together they have created a musical entity that has transformed reggae music and how we think about it. St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands, is not necessarily American, and not at all Jamaican, but close enough to both coasts that the influences of each land is apparent upon first listen. Midnite does not "try" to be a reggae band, but instead they succeed where many others have not and that is in their originality and their determination to stay true to roots music. It's a very daunting task to find in these days of overdubbing, hip-hop and dancehall remixes into practically every modern reggae song that you hear. Midnite's resilience shines in their music because they have designed their songs to be raw and rootsy.
By Adjua Dubb
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