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@akae_beka Vijan, originally released in 2003 by @igraderecords , is a seminal release from the “golden era” of St. Croix roots reggae, now available for the first time on 12” vinyl courtesy of @before.zero.records

Pre-Orders are live now ahead of Jan 16th release.

Produced by the legendary combination of Vaughn Benjamin and Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred, Vijan balances the raw, spiritual intensity of Vaughn’s songwriting with the sophisticated, melodic arrangements that became the hallmark of the I Grade sound.

This album features an incredible lineup of musicians who helped shape the sound of Virgin Islands reggae. The production credits boast the textured guitar layers of Tuff Lion , the deep, driving bass of Kenyatta Itola , and the rhythmic precision of Dion “Bosie” Hopkins. Uniquely, this album also showcases Vaughn Benjamin’s versatility as a multi-instrumentalist, contributing drums, bass, and keys on standout tracks like “All Ye Naashan” and “Thanks for Life”.

Akae Beka’s inimitable style of rich, deep, multi-layered songwriting and uncompromising devotion to RasTafari is on full display here. At the point of his untimely passing in 2019, Vaughn Benjamin had released over 70 albums, solidifying his place as one of the most prolific reggae artists ever known. Vijan remains a glowing highlight in this expansive catalogue, capturing a specific moment of creative brilliance in the early 2000s.

The vinyl reissue allows listeners to engage with the album’s analogue richness and features the striking original artwork by Marcus Wilson, presented here as a 12” square masterpiece. by @before.zero.records

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10 months ago

Newsflash! The second press of @dub_judah x @kibir.la.amlak has just landed and is back in stock at most stores that run out of the first press! If you hesitated last time round move fast this time!

Dub Judah, a paragon of musical excellence, has an extensive career showcasing mastery of multiple instruments and his distinctive vocal style. His prolific output on his ‘Dubtech’ label, his role as the bass player for the Twinkle Brothers, and his numerous contributions to music underline his exceptional artistry.
In this release, his inimitable vocal style distills a timeless message—a universal strategy for progress. He reminds us that the most effective solutions are often rooted in the most fundamental acts of will. This is a reminder that progress begins with the individual’s decision to ‘Put Your Best Foot Forward.’ Such an ethos acts as a blueprint for life, urging us to confront challenges with our best efforts and, in doing so, become architects of a better world.
‘Best Foot Forward’ has been anthemic on the reggae sound system scene for over a decade. It began as a dubplate for Salomon Heritage Sound System on the ‘Joshua’s Anthem’ riddim, commissioned by Roots Arna from Kibir La Amlak in 2011. As the years passed, it became evident that the dubplate was too impactful to remain just a dub. After several revisions and collaborative efforts between Kibir La Amlak and Salomon Heritage, it evolved beyond its original form into a modern roots reggae classic now ready for public release.
The reworked track now features contributions from Jah David and Tippy I of Zion I Kings, alongside other notable musicians such as Westfinga, Ashanti Selah, Okiel McIntyre, Zoe Brown, and Greg Jata. Produced, mixed, and arranged by Kibir La Amlak, mastered to tape and cut to vinyl by Lewis Hopkin, it is being released globally as a collaborative effort between Before Zero Records and Salomon Heritage Label.
The B-side offers a refreshed ‘Joshua’s Anthem,’ with Aba Ariginal and I-Jah Salomon’s solos now complemented by Okiel and Zoe’s horn arrangements, maintaining the track’s anthemic quality. by @before.zero.records

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3 years ago

⛰️Releasing 31st Jan // Vibyl pre-orders are live on Before Zero website and Bandcamp. 🏔️

Recorded in 1997, Mountain Top features the commanding vocals of Tony Roots, backed by the legendary @original_firehouse_crew and produced by the visionary Fada Waz (Clifton Carnegie). This record’s release was driven by the people, evidenced and encouraged by the countless wheel-ups and sing-alongs during @kingoriginalsound international tour dates over the last three years whenever this seminal recording was dropped in the set. by @before.zero.records

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

The continued relevance of the work of @akae_beka is forceful on the movingly topical Rastafari statement Imandment To Heart. Taken from 2021’s album Polarities and produced by Vaughn Benjamin & @zionikings with @tippyigrade at the helm, the track presents a striking contrast: an uplifting major-key Rub A Dub rhythm, powered by renowned Jamaican drummer Kirk Bennett, sets the stage for scathing lyrics linking “chaos theory,” refugee crossings, and prophetic judgment. Vaughn Benjamin calls for a moral law “written upon the inward part” amidst global turmoil. Released on 7” vinyl for the first time by @before.zero.records , the single is backed by a B-side dub sculpted sonically by Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred at his Holy Mountain Studio in St Croix.

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 @stardelta_mastering 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.

Distributed by @irootsrecords by @before.zero.records

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9 months ago

The next series in the @akae_beka Vocal, Version & Word Sound Collection. “Charges,” a standout track from the Polarities LP released on 7” vinyl for the first time. Arriving amidst an era of global economic shifts, the release feels forcefully timely. Genius metaphorical wordplay and wide-ranging subjects are distilled into a cohesive whole as the global economy and its entrapping neo-colonial rules come under the microscope. Produced by Vaughn Benjamin & @zionikings with @tippyigrade at the helm, the track is anchored by the rock-solid drumming of Lloyd “Junior” Richards and the propulsive bass of David @jahdavid777 Goldfine. This release features a previously unheard B-side dub, giving space to the celestial synth work of the late Andrew @drew.keys Stoch.  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 @stardelta_mastering 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.

Distribution @irootsrecords by @before.zero.records

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9 months ago

AKAE BEKA - VIJAN LP

The classic album is here, for the first time on vinyl
Originally released in 2003 on CD only, produced by Vaughn Benjamin and Tippy I, ft. Tuff Lion, Kenyatta Itola & Dion “Bosie” Hopkins, artwork by Marcus Wilson

Order now, Jan 16 release

USA: irootsrecords.com
UK: store.beforezerorecords.com
France: livity-records.com
Germany: lionsdensound.bandcamp.com

#AkaeBeka #VaughnBenjamin #Vijan #vinyl by @before.zero.records

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10 months ago

Words, pictures and videos are not enough to express the joy of the first edition of Livity Ground Roots Sessions. A beautiful crowd of people gathered to mark this first edition, we ate food of the garden, reasoned by the fire and danced before the altar in celebration. This first session was an experiment and test of this new format. By the grace of JAH we now know for certain that we will make this a regular event.

Part two will take place on the 19th April, add it to your diary now and we will update you very soon with the full details.

💚💛❤️ by @before.zero.records

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2 years ago

Some more stills from the first @teachings_in_dub of 2025. Inter generational sounds from @kingoriginalsound @kibir.la.amlak and @dub_judah taken in Trinity Centre by @before.zero.records

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2 years ago

Blessing to the @dubvendorrecords family - now stocking the latest 7” vinyl release // MOUNTAIN TOP // Tony Roots x @kingoriginalsound // @studio55records x @before.zero.records // available right now while stocks last on the Dub Vendor website 💚💛❤️ by @before.zero.records

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2 years ago

Mountain Top is out and it’s all yours! Stream, spin it, download it, do whatever you need to do to get the heartical reminder from Tony Roots, @kingoriginalsound and the @original_firehouse_crew that JAH love is on the Mountain Top. The vinyls are flying off the shelves and we are already ordering the next press, the reception in dancehalls has been 🔥🔥🔥 30 years in the making, out for the first time on vinyl, download and streaming platforms. MOUNTAIN TOP - played here by @itsfootsieagain at the seminal @teachings_in_dub session Friday gone. 💚💛❤️ by @before.zero.records

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2 years ago

Last Weeks Bass Face 🚨
Comes in courtesy of : 📍
• @kingoriginalsound
• @before.zero.records
• @studio55records
Tony Roots, King Original - Mountain Top ⛰️
Due on Road 31st January 2025 📦

Recorded in 1997, Tony Roots, backed by the Firehouse Crew and produced by the visionary Fada Waz (Clifton Carnegie). by @before.zero.records

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2 years ago