BEFORE ZERO RECORDS presents...
Sagacious reggae lyricist Vaughn Benjamin’s words are particularly cutting during Sow And The Reap, the final recording of Vaughns immense catalog of works with I Grade Records. Produced by Zion I Kings, and taken from 2021’s album Polarities, Sow And The Reap folds topics of political dominance, mass migration, and injustice into a thought provokingly coherent whole. The song brims with Vaughn’s characteristic dual-meaning word-play, using evocative metaphors of nature and agriculture to illuminate global policy. Sow And The Reap’s timeless lyrical principles are matched by its inexorable reggae rhythm, featuring hefty programmed drums by Romain “Teflon Zincfence” Arnett, and sombre trombone and space age synth, both supplied by much missed multi-instrumentalist Drew Keys. Backed by its correspondingly haunting dub.
This series honours both the vocal and version culture of the reggae sound system and the profound lyricism of Vaughn Benjamin. We have consistently received two requests in relation to releasing the LPs: "Can we have dub versions?" and "Where can we read the lyrics?" Our response is the 'Akae Beka - vocal, version and word-sound collection.' Before Zero Records worked with Tippy I Grade to mix a series of dub mixes from a carefully curated selection of his extensive works with Vaughn Benjamin. The vocal and corresponding dub mixes were then cut to wax by Lewis Hopkin of Star Delta and wrapped in a collage made of Ras Marcus's artworks, which he crafted for various LP covers of Vaughn's works throughout the years with the lyrics transcribed and printed on the rear of each sleeve.
————————
AKAE BEKA - SOW AND THE REAP
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred, A. Bain, D. Goldfine, A. Stoch, R. Arnett)
Produced by: Zion I Kings
Drums, Programming : Romaine “Teflon Zincfence” Arnett
Bass: David “JAH David” Goldfine
Organ, Piano, Guitar, Synths: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred
Guitars: Andrew “Moon” Bain
Trombone, Synths: Andrew “Drew Keys” Stoch
Acoustic Guitar: Steve Katz
Published by: Schethlya Publishing (BMI), I Grade Music (ASCAP), Galactic Soul Music (BMI), Haile Tabernacle Music (BMI), Haze Street Publishing (BMI), Riddim God Music (BMI)
Mixed and Mastered by: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred at Holy Mountain Studio, St. Croix, VI
Cut by Lewis @ Star Delta Mastering, UK
Original artwork by: Marcus Wilson, Collage and Graphic Layout by: Before Zero Records
LIONSCHOICE010 - Hold A Gathering Riddim – 12" Vinyl
€14 EUR
LIONSCHOICE009 - Prince Chamba meets Zulu Vibes – 12" Vinyl
€13 EUR
LIONSCHOICE008 - Prince Jamo - Rootsman Can't Dead – 12" Vinyl
€14 EUR
LIONSCHOICE006 - MDC / Digitron Sound ft. Kenny Knots - Rise Again – 12" Vinyl
€11 EUR
LIONSONGS005 - Mighty Massa & The Ska Revolutionaries - Breaking Down The Barrier – 12" Vinyl
€11 EUR
LIONSONGS004 - Jah Baker - Higher Regions / No Shame – 12" Vinyl
€10 EUR
LIONSONGS003 - Jah Baker - Movements Of A Swan / New World Skank – 12" Vinyl
€10 EUR
LIONSONGS002 - Jah Baker - Powerhouse / Acceptance – 12" Vinyl
€11 EUR
LIONSCHOICE701 - Ashanti Selah ft. Kenny Knots - Rise Again – 7" Vinyl
€7 EUR
LIONS4WD001 - Dub All Sense ft. Mr. Williamz, MrDill Lion Warriah & Longfingah - Rudebwoy Corporation EP – 12" Vinyl - 'xxx-copies'
€13 EUR
BR1218LD - Run Scared Riddim –
12" Vinyl
King Stanley, Earl Cunningham, Kologne
€13 EUR
BR1217LD - King Stanley meets Clive Hunt –
12" Vinyl
Love Joy, Jah Batta
€13 EUR
BR1216LD - Call Out Riddim –
12" Vinyl
Kng Stanley, Fikir Amlak, Autarchii
€13 EUR
BR1210LD - Modern Prophet –
12" Vinyl
Disciples, Buriman, Milton Henry
€13 EUR
BR1046 - Stand Firm / Call On Jah –
10" Vinyl
Brizion, Daddy Lion Chandell, Sista Kaya
€8 EUR
BR1045 - Energy –
10" Vinyl
ITP Music, ArkAingelle
€8 EUR
BRLP002LD - Life –
12" Vinyl
Judah Eskender Tafari
€16 EUR
BRLP001LD - Divine Right –
12" Vinyl
Judah Eskender Tafari
€16 EUR
ROR001 - Conscious Fiyah x Ical Ises x Macca Dread – Wise Up EP - 12" Vinyl
€21 EUR
SH704 - Peter Youthman - Chant Them Down - 7" Vinyl
€10 EUR
BCSM011 - Christine Salem & Dub Across Borders - Kadjembawe - 7" Vinyl
€13 EUR
TAL001 - Prince Far I – Love and Wisdom - 12" Vinyl
€15 EUR
IGBZR7002 - Akae Beka ft. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Everything Bless - 7" Vinyl
€14 EUR
IGBZR7001 - Akae Beka ft. Chronixx - Black Carbon - 7" Vinyl
€14 EUR
BZR001 - Majical & Kibir La Amlak – Do You Know? - 7" Vinyl
€13 EUR
BZR006 - Dub Judah - Best Foot Forward - 12” Vinyl
€17.50 EUR
BZR005 - Akae Beka - Living Testament - 12” Vinyl LP
€24 EUR
IGBZRLP008 - Akae Beka - Let Live - 12” Vinyl LP
€24 EUR
IGBZRLP004 - Akae Beka - Beauty For Ashes - 12” Vinyl LP
€24 EUR
IGBZRLP003 - Akae Beka - Ride Tru - 12” Vinyl LP
€24 EUR
IGBZRLP002 - Akae Beka - Portals - 12” Vinyl LP
€24 EUR
IGBZRLP001 - Akae Beka - Topaz - 12” Vinyl LP
€24 EUR
Lion's Den Berlin, Germany
Lion’s Den is a label, a sound system, a studio and a production and promotion force.
!!! conscious music for heavyweight sound systems !!!
Streaming and Download help