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 Brilliant
and innovative band Midnite will perform across California from February
10 to 16, 2004.
Residents of St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Midnite has emerged
as a new force in the roots reggae scene since their founding in 1989
by brothers Vaughn (lead vocals, songwriter) and Ron Benjamin (keyboards,
musical director). Rounding out the band are Dion Hopkins (drums), Phillip
Merchant (bass), and Abijah (guitar).
Armed with a strong and uncompromising musical vision, Midnite delivers
an old-school roots sound matched with powerful lyrics that address various
issues such as racial oppression, misrepresented social history and fundamental
Rastafarian teachings. At a time when older reggae artists are rehashing
the same stale tunes they have been touring with for twenty years, Midnite
is rewriting the rules for live reggae by never playing the same set,
and releasing a constant flood of new material.
 Midnite
developed their sound playing small clubs in Washington D.C., where they
recorded their debut album “Unpolished” and the follow-up
“Ras Mek Peace.” Jahworks.org reggae journalist Adjua Dubb
reported that these early Midnite shows “mirrored going to church...they
left a deep impact on the reggae scene here.” The band later returned
to St. Croix to make refinements for their third album “Jubilees
of Zion” before embarking on their first full tours of the U.S.
During the past three years, Midnite has been hard at work in their St.
Croix Afrikan Roots Lab, releasing five more full-length albums through
independent record label Rastafaria.
Midnite continues to sell out
venues across the Bay Area, so patrons can get their tickets early at
ticketweb.com.
TOUR DATES
Tuesday,
February 10 Berkeley--Ashkenaz Community Center
Wednesday, February 11 Berkeley--Ashkenaz Community Center
Thursday
February 12 Fairfax--19 Broadway
Friday
February 13 Santa Cruz--Vet's Hall
Saturday February 14 Boonville--Anderson Valley Grange
Sunday February 15 Long
Beach--Bob Marley Festival, Long Beach Area
Monday February 16 San Diego--Bob Marley Festival, WorldBeat Center
RELATED CONTENT
Spotlight
on Midnite
Sierra
Nevada World Music Festival 2003
Bob
Marley Celebration Long Beach 2002
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