Search - Midnite :: Scheme a Things

Midnite does it again

Jdubbs | San Francisco, CA United States | 12/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Midnite has been around for some years now, and really starting to gain popularity and momentum, if the sold-out clubs and of their last tour were any indication. And this album shows that their studio performances are just as good as their live shows.



The album starts with a slow buildup, the jazzy and beautiful "Words ov Right," and by the time the the massive one-drop songs "Lianess" and "Bazra" come, one remembers exactly why Midnite is one of the best acts in all of music today.

Another really strong track is "Respek Dem Een," an incredible chanting tune led by the vocals of Vaughn Benjamin, the premier vocalist and lyricist, who is at once enchanting and complex.



Even better is another album released at the same time on Midnite's own African Roots label, called "Ainshant Maps."



Once one hears Midnite, most other reggae becomes obsolete, that's how far ahead of everybody they are. Catch them live if you can, it's an incredible experience."

Midnite Departs from Roots Reggae

Robby Raeford | Greensboro, NC United States | 01/08/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, let's even out the reviews here. "Unpolished" by Midnite is a brilliant album, as well as "Ras Mek Peace". These two albums represent Midnite at its rawest, roots-based approach that they have absolutely mastered. These deserve 5 stars, no questions. However good "Scheme of Things" may be, it does not deserve the recognition of these two aformentioned works. "Scheme of Things" is somewhat of a departure. At this point in the prolific recording output of the group we see a move towards more dancehall oriented productions that rely more on the studio wisardry of modern technology than the bare-bones or 'unpolished' sound of their first recordings.



"Lioness" and "Bazra" are two of the stronger tracks here, but honestly they do not live up to the supremely beutiful melodies and lyrics of previous works. The biggest problem with this album as well as other later works (including albums released as Midnite-I-Grade) is consistensy. As Midnite tightens the arrangements, adds drum machines, increases albums to 18 tracks versus previous 10 song releases, the quality suffers. Let's hope that Midnite rediscovers their roots, but I do not disagree that they are phenomenal live!"