Akae Beka & Zion High - Mek a Menshun (feat. Protoje)

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: ZHP0019
Barcode: 5050580782563
Release Date: 04 Nov 2022
Genre: Roots Reggae

Back in stock: 07 Apr 2023

01: Under the Sun (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
02: By Day (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
03: Kagm Mystory (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
04: Mek a Menshun (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
05: The Mighty (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
06: Nah Talk (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
07: Into Law (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
08: Worth It (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
09: Veteran of Narrative (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High
10: Only Now (feat. Protoje) - Akae Beka & Zion High

Akae Beka's inimitable style of rich, deep, multi-layered songwriting, uncompromising devotion to RasTafari and soulful healing melodies developed over decades performing with St. Croix based band Midnite and countless recordings. At the point of his untimely passing in 2019, he had released over 70LP's. He is without a doubt one of the most prolific reggae artists ever known.

The stellar production trinity that is Zion I Kings have been involved collectively and individually in creating some of the most highly regarded contributions to the vast Akae Beka catalogue. The timeless songs of 'Mek A Menshun' 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' reached new heights of melodic delivery and emotional intensity. Coupled with his always poetic and insightful lyrics, these 10 original songs rank among his best recordings to date. The title track 'Mek A Menshun' includes vocals by Protoje Grammy (R)-nominated 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", "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 arrangement 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 veteran engineer Gary Woung.

Originally released digitally and on CD, this LP is now being released for the first time on as a 12" vinyl LP courtesy of Before Zero Records.

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