| Current (I Grade, 2006)
*GUEST
REVIEW*
Midnite is getting around to being a household name among reggae fans, but here they team up with the less well-known Mystic Vision. Mystic Vision is a group from New Mexico, and will probably become more popular due to this collaboration and their presence on
myspace.com. The music is pretty much all electronic-dub, with little or no acoustic
instrumentation, so the feel is similar to Midnite's Let Live. Vaughn's vox
is as unique as ever, and his words are equally profound. However, this album is simply not as good as that one. Though there are melodies, or other things that make the songs enjoyable, getting into the groove can be trying. Furthermore, there are just so many damn tracks that sorting through all of them and trying to find one's you like can take a while. I bought this album about a month and half ago, and it took me about a week to really feel like I 'got it'. The truth is that there's a little for everyone (or whatever the mood you're in demands). People who like their melodies with edge will find plenty here, so will meditative, love and romance, and conscious types. Also, if you know Midnite's music, you will have a point of reference. "Only" is almost like a digital version of "On" from
Jah Grid. My favorite is "Build Love" with its reflective chorus:
"Humble when it was not time to humble, fight when it was not time to fight". "Almighty" has an
'80s/Simple Minds-ish groove. At first, I really did sort of feel like this album was unnecessary and inaccessible, but as I've given in more an more listens, it is a cool and exciting addition to Midnite's catalog. Also, it's introduced me to Mystic Vision, who, if I ever get a chance, I fully intend to see. Their solo tracks are available on their website and on
myspace.com.
- Trammell Scruggs |
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