Originally released in 2005 by I Grade Records, "Let Live" was a forward-thinking, progressive, and contemporary exploration produced by Tippy I and Vaughn Benjamin. This groundbreaking body of work, originally mixed and now remastered for the vinyl release by Tippy I, has an enduring appeal rooted in its forward-thinking compositions, including contributions from the downbeat production collective (M1 of dead prez, Vijay Iyer, Tippy I and Sol Messiah) on the title track "Let Live" and "Fighting for Her."
The album features instrumental contributions ranging from the rich and deep bass work of Kenyatta Itola to the textured guitar layers provided by Tuff Lion and Abijah Hicks. "Let Live" is a unique listening experience that transcends traditional genre limitations.
‘Let Live’ showcases a multitude of collaborations, such as the standout track "All About What You Do," featuring Pressure Busspipe and Massiya, with bass and guitar from Tippy I.
Capturing the essence of the album, the LP cover artwork was designed by Marcus Wilson. The cover with Haile Selassie as the eternal fountainhead of humanity and carries an overarching message of diversity and spiritual connectedness.
"Let Live," one of thousands of lyrical masterpieces from Vaughn, holds particular significance for Before Zero Records. The lyric:
“Who is like Jah?
Point without end
Infinite circumference Jah”
…was a pivotal inspiration in the naming of ‘Before Zero Records’, which speaks to Jah being both the origin and the infinite in a simultaneous tandem.
The re-issue vinyl allows new audiences to engage with the album's analogue richness without paying the collectors prices of the now highly sought after original press. The re-issue further confirms "Let Live" as a timeless work, offering both spiritual and musical richness, standing the test of time nearly two decades after its original release.
credits
released October 13, 2023
01. DONE WRONG TYPE
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred)
Produced by Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred and Vaughn Benjamin.
Drums & Keys: Tippy I; Bass: Kenyatta Itola; Guitar: Abijah Hicks.
02. CLOSED SOCIETIES
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred)
Produced by Tippy I
Drums & Keys: Tippy I;
Bass: Gregory "Mr. Bassie" Jackson;
Guitars: Tuff Lion
03. HAILE SELASSIE I RASTAMAN CROWN
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred)
Produced by: Tippy I
Drums, Bass, Keys & Binghi Drums: Tippy;
Berimbau: Mark “Feijao” Milligan & Salim; Guitar: Tuff Lion
04. CHANTAJAH
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred)
Produced by: Tippy I
Drums, Bass & Keys: Tippy I;
Guitar: Tuff Lion;
Keys: Eric Williams
05. LET LIVE
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred, L. Alford, E. Franklin)
Produced by: the downbeat production collective (M1, Sol Messiah & Tippy I)
Drums: Sol Messiah;
Bass: Gregory "Mr. Bassie" Jackson; Elec. Guitar: Tippy I; Acoustic Guitar: Vaughn Benjamin.
06. THE GAD
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred, J. Saleem)
Produced by: Tippy I & Abja
Drums: Abja;
Keys, Guitar & Binghi Drums: Tippy I;
Bass: Kenyatta Itola;
Guitars: Tuff Lion
07. ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU DO (FEAT. PRESSURE BUSSPIPE & MISSIYA)
(V. Benjamin, D. Brown, T. Leo, L. Alfred, J. Saleem)
Produced by: Tippy I & Abja
Drums: Abja;
Bass: Kenyatta; Keys & Guitar: Tippy I; Guitar: Tuff Lion
08. RASTAMAN LIFE
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred
Produced by and all instruments by: Tippy I
09. FIGHTING FOR HER
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred, E. Franklin, L. Alford, V. Iyer)
Produced by: the downbeat production collective (M1, Metaphysic, Sol Messiah, Tippy I, Vijay Iyer)
Drums: Metaphsic; Bass: Gregory
"Mr. Bassie" Jackson; Keys: Vijay Iyer, Sol Messiah; Guitar:
Tippy I, Tuff Lion
10. RASTAFARI LEAD THE WAY
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred, K. Johnson)
Produced by: Tippy I & Kenyatta Itola.
Drums: Phillip Merchant;
Bass: Kenyatta Itola; Keys: Eric Williams;
Keys & Guitar: Tippy I; Guitar: Tuff Lion
11. DOUBLE SPEAK
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred, G. Jackson)
Produced by: Tippy I& Gregory "Mr. Bassie" Jackson
Drums: Phil Merchant;
Bass: Gregory "Mr. Bassie" Jackson;
Guitars & Organ: Tippy I
12. MAIZE (MY EASE)
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred)
Produced by Tippy I
Drums: Phillip Merchant
Bass, Keys, Guitar & Binghi Drums: Tippy I;
Guitar: Tuff Lion
13. ALL MY LIFE
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred, K. Johnson)
Produced by: Tippy I & Kenyatta Itola
Drums & Guitar: Tuff Lion; Bass: Kenyatta;
Guitar & Organ: Tippy I; Piano: Almateen Yazid.
14. ALL THE SAME
(V. Benjamin, L. Alfred)
Produced by: Vaughn Benjamin
Drums: Dion Hopkins; Bass: Kenyatta; Guitars: Abijah Hicks;
Keys & Hand Drums: Vaughn Benjamin.
All Lyrics and Vocal Melodies by Vaughn Benjamin. Except "All About What You Do": Lyrics
and Vocal Melodies by Pressure Busspipe (Delyno Brown), Massiya (Troy Leo) & Vaughn Benjamin
All Songs Mixed by: Laurent "Tippy I” Alfred
Mastered by: CDM Studios, NYC
Publishers: Schethlya Publishing (BMI), I Grade Music (ASCAP), E. Franklin (BMI), Walk Like a Warrior Music admin. by the Royalty Network, Inc. (BMI), Gordon Jammall Music (BMI),Garveys Ghost Music (SESAC), Multiplicity Music (SESAC)
Founded in St. Croix, USVI during in 2001 by Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred along with partner Kenyatta Itola. The label's mission
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