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Livicated
ReleaseProduct
Livicated
Artist
Akae Beka
Label
Before Zero Records
Catalogue Number
ZHP0016
Release Date
May 3, 2021

LIVICATED is timeless Rastafari roots reggae for now and the future.

Akae Beka's inimitable style, which blends incisive and biting social commentary with prayerful entreaties to better living through faith and good works, developed over decades performing with St. Croix based band Midnite and countless recordings (including 2014 iTunes reggae album of the year BEAUTY FOR ASHES and RIDE TRU). At the point of his untimely passing in 2019, he had released over 70LP's. He is without a doubt one of the most prolific reggae artists ever known and his quantity is always matched with quality, with his albums consistently featuring in the top 10 on the billboard charts reggae LPs.

This release makes no exception. 5 years on from the original 2016 CD and Digital release which charted at number 6 in the reggae billboard charts, this timeless masterpiece is being re-released on 12" Vinyl and Cassette tape, courtesy of Before Zero Records.

LIVICATED pairs the majestic Zion I Kings (ZIK) sound with the voice and lyrics of Vaughn Benjamin, creating a finely woven tapestry of musical textures. Produced by ZIK bassist, JAH David, LIVICATED was Akae Beka's debut release on the Zion High Productions (ZHP) label. The album features solid original riddims composed and arranged by the ZIK family with musical contributions from Aston Barrett Jr. (drums), JAH Bless (horns), Chet Samuel (guitar), and Yami Bolo (melodica). Particularly striking on LIVICATED are the strident, Burning Spear-like horn arrangements and the variety and range of Drew Keys' keyboard voices.

The songs of LIVICATED unfold like a panorama of shapes and colors comprising our contemporary human predicament. Coping with the refugee crises wrought by war and poverty, "Firmness" is an appeal to hold fast to love and kindness. On "Usward" we are encouraged to use focused meditation to confront confusion. "Discreet" alerts us to the fine balance measuring success and failure in our pursuits. The title track, "Livicated" uses a Wailers-inspired riddim to drive home the message that technological advance is empty without addressing collective needs. The melodica-infused "Loose the Gates" is a rally cry to push back against the forces driving social inequality in the name of technological supremacy. The testimonial tone of "Have Heard" reminds us that the throne of the Most High is a refuge for those who seek HIM. A bellowing baritone sax underpins the message to "let love rule and not complicate" on "Faith". The driving rim shots of Aston Barrett Jr.'s drums on "Handle Sumptin" spur us to consider the consequences of our decisions and judgements for others as well as ourselves. The bluesy interplay of clavinet and piano on "Eyelidz" reminds that the "emotion of the soul revived is sometimes not easy to find".

Akae Beka on Spotify

Digital Tracklist

  1. 1 Firmness 4:40 Buy

    Firmness

  2. 2 Usward 4:16 Buy

    Usward

  3. 3 Discreet 3:24 Buy

    Discreet

  4. 4 Livicated 4:41 Buy

    Livicated

  5. 5 Loose The Gates 4:29 Buy

    Loose The Gates

  6. 6 Have Herd 4:38 Buy

    Have Herd

  7. 7 Faith 5:03 Buy

    Faith

  8. 8 Handle Sumptin 4:48 Buy

    Handle Sumptin

  9. 9 Eyelidz 5:10 Buy

    Eyelidz

Akae Beka

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