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2002 will forever be remembered by me as the
year in which St. Croix’s roots music erupted into the colonial mainstream. The year
began with Dezarie’s "FYA" riding atop of Ireggae’s charts. Just 5
days into this year, I learned that St. Croix’s premier roots band, Midnite, would be
giving their first concert in California as part of Bob Marley Day festivals. Having been
enthralled by Midnite for several years, i did not hesitate to make the 1000 mile sojourn
to partake in their highly anticipated musical offerings. They did not disappoint. I must
have seen over 100 artists’ performances this year, and I can honestly say that my
favorite 3 concerts were by: Midnite, Midnite and..... Midnite!!!
Before January was over,
I Grade Records had released Midnite’s "Assini". Selections like Blaze Up,
Ises and Old Robe penetrate with a vibe unparalleled in Jamaican music for several
decades. Surpassing even this was Midnite’s "Seek Knowledge Before
Vengeance" on their Afrikan Roots Lab label. I knew this would be my album of the
year the very first time I listened to it. To me, Ras For A Reason, Jah Ovah, and Kingdom
Trees epitomize what i quest for in reggae music.
Yet another side of
Vaughn Benjamin (Midnite Branch I) is revealed on the Glamorous Records release "The
Cipheraw", which features Vaughn’s mystical voice laced over some jazzy
trumpeting while Phillip Merchant pounds out some of the heaviest base lines imaginable.
Pure niceness.
From the Bambú Station
Studio came my favorite compilation album of the year "Talkin’ Roots I".
Relased by Mt. Nebo Records, this CD has 13 crucial selections. Iba, Ankh Watep, Natty
Empress and Dezarie all make massive contributions and expose the depth of the roots
movement in St. Croix. Sound V.I. Zion adds to this movement with their release
"Culturellennium 2". In addition to strong offerings from Dezarie, this album
also features Midnite, Apostle, Ras Attitude, Yah Shiloh-I and several other new artists.
As November rolled in,
the eruption continued with another boom shot from I Grade Records "Weep Not".
Featuring no less than 5 Midnite selections, "Weep Not" also has some serious
musical contributions from Willmore Daniel, Abadan, Abja and Dezarie. And if that
wasn’t enough, Christmas came a day early for me, when a copy of "Geoman"
arrived at my doorstep. This second Midnite Branch I installment from I Grade Records
includes the massive "People iz i" along with several nyahbinghi selections, but
my favorite song is the memorizing "Powas ov Weed". Geoman marks the 7th crucial
roots release from St. Croix this year. Nuff niceness!!!!!
Other crucial releases
for 2002 include Queen Omega’s debut album, Misty in Roots - Roots Controller,
Warrior King - Virtuous Woman, Mutabaruka - Life Squared, Chrisinti - Comfort My People,
Roots Natty - Rasta Resiste, both of Prezident Brown’s "Showcase" albums,
and a surprisingly strong contribution from Sizzla on Da Real Thing.
Daniel - Ireggae |
