GLORY is a special edition Akae Beka showcase EP featuring vocal and lyrical contributions from four top-tier reggae talents, including the 2023 Grammy winner Kabaka Pyramid, Micah Shemaiah, Reemah, and ex-Black Uhuru member Mykal Rose. Zion High Productions’ producer JAH David Goldfine adds four dub mixes for a complete roots and culture reggae showcase experience, making this record equally suitable for a sound system selector’s record box and a vinyl connoisseur’s record shelf.
The world-renowned chanter and lyricist Vaughn Benjamin is perhaps best known for his many years as the charismatic frontman of Midnite. However, his later years as Akae Beka ushered in an era during which his work with the Zion I Kings producers collective explored new musical horizons. GLORY pushes these boundaries further, venturing into inspired melodic and harmonic directions by pairing Vaughn Benjamin’s distinctive and timeless vocals with four instantly recognizable voices in reggae music.
The Zion I Kings are joined on GLORY by an array of talented musicians, including Roberto Sanchez, Craig Taylor, and Lloyd “Junior” Richards on drums; Andrew “Drew Keys” Stoch on keyboards; Okiel Mcintyre and Andrew “Drew Keys” Stoch on trombone; Donald “Jah Bless” Toney on saxophone; Okiel Mcintyre on trumpet; and Zoe Brown on flute. Roberto Sanchez and Ruel Klyve Moncrieffe provide background vocals.
The striking and colorful cover art is by longtime Zion High Productions collaborator Ato K.D. Roberts.
In 2023, Zion High Productions is celebrating 20 years of delivering “crucial Rastafari music for these crucial times”.
credits
released August 12, 2023
Akae Beka - Glory
Side A
A1. Aqueduct featuring Micah Shemaiah
(V. Benjamin, M. Abrahams, D. Goldfine, L. Alfred, A. Stoch, O. Mcintyre, Z. Brown, A. Bain)
A2. Aqueduct Dub featuring Micah Shemaiah
(V. Benjamin, M. Abrahams, D. Goldfine, L. Alfred, A. Stoch, O. Mcintyre, Z. Brown, A. Bain)
A3. Glory featuring Kabaka Pyramid
(V. Benjamin, K. Salmon, D. Goldfine, L. Alfred, D. Toney, A. Stoch, A. Bain, C. Taylor)
A4. Glory Dub featuring Kabaka Pyramid
(V. Benjamin, K. Salmon, D. Goldfine, L. Alfred, D. Toney, A. Stoch, A. Bain, C. Taylor)
Side B
B1. Son featuring Mykal Rose
(V. Benjamin, M. Rose, D. Goldfine, L. Alfred, A. Bain)
B2. Son Dub featuring Mykal Rose
(V. Benjamin, M. Rose, D. Goldfine, L. Alfred, A. Bain)
B3. Still Small Voice featuring Reemah
(V. Benjamin, J. Vanterpool , D. Goldfine, L. Richards, l. Alfred, A. Bain)
B4. Still Small Voice Dub featuring Reemah
(V. Benjamin, J. Vanterpool , D. Goldfine, L. Richards, l. Alfred, A. Bain)
Produced By: Zion I Kings
Singers and Players:
Drums: Roberto Sanchez (A1, A2, B1, B2), Craig Taylor (A1, A4), Lloyd “Junior” Richards (B3,
B4)
Bass, Pick Guitar, Percussion: David “JAH David” Goldfine
Keyboards: Laurent “Tippy I Alfred (A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4), Andrew “Drew Keys” Stoch (A1, A2,
A3, A4)
Rhythm Guitar: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred
Lead Guitar: Andrew “Moon” Bain
Trumpet &Trombone: Okiel Mcintyre (A1, A2, B3, B4)
Saxophone: Donald “Jah Bless” Toney (A3, A4)
Flute: Zoe Brown (A1, A2, B3, B4), Andrew “Moon” Bain (B1, B2)
Background Vocals: Roberto Sanchez (B1, B2), Ruel Klyve Moncrieffe (B3, B4)
Mixing: David “JAH David” Goldfine
Mastering: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred
Artwork: Ato “Art Of The Covenant” K.D. Roberts
Layout: Andrew “Moon” Bain
Project Coordinator: Elliott “Ras Elliott” Leib
Punch album. Double-edged voice. Inventive production and great featurings.
It's been a long time since I listened to such a good reggae album ! Masterpierce. <<< l🦝urent >>>
