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Sow and the Reap

by Akae Beka

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    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 Sow and the Reap via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £2 GBP

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    12
    releases

    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 , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      £82.40 GBP or more (20% OFF)

     

1.
Sow and the Reap 04:56
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2.
Tippy I Grade - Dub and the Reap 05:02
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about

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.

credits

released March 29, 2024

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
© 2022 Before Zero Records
℗ 2021 I Grade Records.

Released by Before Zero Records under license from I Grade Records
www.igraderecords.com | www.beforezerorecords.com
IGBZR7003

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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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