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Black Carbon feat. Chronixx

by Akae Beka

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    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.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Black Carbon feat. Chronixx via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 12 I Grade releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Black Carbon feat. Chronixx, Everything Bless feat. Tiken Jah Fakoly, Sow and the Reap, Let Live, JAH Grid, Rule The Time, Kings Bell, Beauty for Ashes, and 4 more. , and , .

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1.
[Chorus] My son your son mi son, This is our place under the sun, The whole thing is designated solar system, There's a little humour inna the equation, My son your son mi son this is our place under the sun, What is your root overstanding of relevance, Of how this life become, As predominantly here are the hydrocarbons, Every living organism is made of carbon, That's the hue mentioned in the world human, The blackness of oil is fire one the Blackness of coal is heat is on, From the blackness of coal Exquisite diamond, Replicated photocopies through dread the carbon, See the same thing on your receipt on your check stub, Talking pure reality haffi ride the dub, Jah Jah show we seh humanity celestial, Six protons, six neutrons and six electrons, So don't make them split you mentally to go win election, Each nation have to rise up lifting the next one, Cause all ah we way forward from the same carbon, Every tint and every shade, all colour variation, Volcano erupt lava Splash create land, Stream of fire flowing deep beneath the ocean, Fibonacci symbols carbon printing everything From the soil up through the root dem, Where the fruits a stem from, Yeah, Japheth Shem Ham, All ah we forward from the same carbon, (Repeat Chorus) Should I address illusion hurtin' all iration that brought to tangibility an illusion, Some will see them from a place of non existence While they carry out a purge a planet reduction, Yes a mindset of a process of elimination Involving psychology, tanks, bombs and guns, The heaviest weapon is information, Deadliest weapon is information, Same carbon some try fi demonise how long, Like they're doing to Isis, and everything that is African, What them show up on TV station, Incite fear and drive more division, Poison the youth and talk about a natural selection, Nano technology software injection, Bio warfare, Psychological warfare, Yeah Oh Jah Rastafari could you be my peace of mind ×2 Rastafari (Repeat Chorus) Organic life, Organic architecture, Organic form, And that is who we are, Hydrocarbon,
2.

about

Two of the deepest thinkers in reggae music, Vaughn Benjamin and Chronixx, trade reflections on their collaboration, 'Black Carbon.' Originally released on the 2021 album 'Polarities,' the song is available for the first time as a vinyl single, backed by its dub version. Adorned with the swirling flute of Sheldon Bernard (Beres Hammond, Harmony House) and David Pransky’s brittle, Kora-like mandolin, the twin reggae intellects, with their uniquely delicate voices, introspect on how 'all ah we forward from the same carbon.' The song's message juxtaposes the unity that binds us with a critique of the prevailing narratives and structures that weaken this bond. It underscores the universal truth that we all originate from the same elemental blackness—a truth mirrored throughout humanity and the entire spectrum of creation. Yet, it pointedly highlights how this shared essence is often unrecognised or undervalued in the social and political realms, especially for nations and diasporas connected by the original human hue. The A-side vocal mix is followed by Tippy I’s lavish, questing dub, bringing the instrumentation to the fore. Produced by Vaughn and Zion I Kings.

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.

credits

released March 29, 2024

Black Carbon feat. Chronixx
(V. Benjamin, J. McNaughton, L. Alfred, A. Bain, D. Goldfine, A. Stoch, L. Richards, S. Bernard)
Produced by: Vaughn Benjamin and Zion I Kings
Drums : Lloyd “Junior” Richards
Bass: David “JAH David” Goldfine
Organ, Piano, Guitars: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred
Piano, Synths: Andrew “Drew Keys” Stoch
R. Guitar: Edmund Filleuteau
L. Guitar: Edwin “Kenny” Byron
Flute: Sheldon Bernard
Kora: Mamadou Sidiki Diabate
Mandolin: David Pransky
Published by: Schethlya Publishing (BMI), Kobalt Publishing, I Grade Music (ASCAP), Galactic Soul Music (BMI), Haile Tabernacle Music (BMI), Haze Street Publishing (BMI), Mike & Matt Music (ASCAP), JACAP/PRS

Mixed and Mastered by: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred at Holy Mountain Studio, St. Croix, VI
Cut by Lewis Hopkin @ Star Delta Mastering, UK
Original artwork by: Marcus Wilson, Collage and Graphic Layout by: Before Zero Records

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I Grade St Croix, Virgin Islands

Founded in St. Croix, USVI during in 2001 by Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred along with partner Kenyatta Itola. The label's mission is to produce the highest quality reggae music. Over several highly acclaimed releases, a unique musical identity developed that is undeniably roots, but freely influenced by hip hop, jazz and soul forming a sound that is both ancient and modern. ... more

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