{"title":"Before Zero Records","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBefore Zero Records is a record label based in London, UK. Founded by a reggae sound system, studio and label, Before Zero Records has been at the forefront of the music industry for over two decades. With a passion for promoting diverse and groundbreaking artists, this label has become synonymous with innovation and quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith an impressive roster of *talented musicians* spanning various genres including reggae, hip-hop, and electronic music, Before Zero Records continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a successful independent record label. Their commitment to nurturing emerging talent while also supporting established artists sets them apart from their competitors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs an e-commerce website dedicated to bringing you the best in music, we are proud to feature Before Zero Records as one of our esteemed partners. Explore their catalogue of *award-winning albums*, discover new sounds that will captivate your senses, and support these incredible artists who have made their mark on the global music scene.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"mek-a-menshun-feat-protoje","title":"Mek a Menshun (feat. Protoje)","description":"\u003cp\u003eAkae Beka's inimitable style of rich, deep, multi-layered songwriting, uncompromising devotion to RasTafari and soulful healing melodies developed over decades performing with St. Croix based band Midnite and countless recordings. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe stellar production trinity that is Zion I Kings have been involved collectively and individually in creating some of the most highly regarded contributions to the vast Akae Beka catalogue. The timeless songs of 'Mek A Menshun' amply reward the listener who can penetrate into the mystical musical realms of Rastafari. Longtime fans of Midnite and Akae Beka will note that Vaughn Benjamin's singing on 'Mek a Menshun' reached new heights of melodic delivery and emotional intensity. Coupled with his always poetic and insightful lyrics, these 10 original songs rank among his best recordings to date. The title track 'Mek A Menshun' includes vocals by Protoje Grammy (R)-nominated artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginally released digitally and on CD, this LP is now being released for the first time on as a 12\" vinyl LP courtesy of Before Zero Records.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Before Zero Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50461259891019,"sku":"2001276","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki-1_bdcb0e67_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727246136"},{"product_id":"polarities","title":"Polarities","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePolarities\u003c\/i\u003e is the 13th and final full album of new material from Vaughn Benjamin and I Grade Records, the culmination of a 20 year working relationship that began with 2001's Nemozian Rasta album, which was Midnite's 4th album released to date at that time. \u003ci\u003ePolarities\u003c\/i\u003e was produced jointly by the Zion I Kings production team, with Tippy I of I Grade at the production helm, alongside Vaughn Benjamin himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe album also includes two notable guest features: Tiken Jah Fakoly of Ivory Coast on \"Everything Bless\" and Chronixx of Jamaica on \"Black Carbon\", which were both released in 2020 as the first singles off of \u003ci\u003ePolarities\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Before Zero Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50466460926283,"sku":"1130648","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/fa535e79-46ce-4b32-b9ae-7e49c46c9a3a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727313883"},{"product_id":"kings-bell","title":"Kings Bell","description":"\u003cp\u003eKings Bell, first made available to the world on CD and digital on November 1, 2011, is now being released on a 12\" vinyl courtesy of Before Zero Records. This LP joined the best of St Croix with the best of Jamaica: an amazing lineup of players spearheaded by the venerable Jamaican production maestro Andrew \"Bassie\" Campbell. The result of this collaboration is Kings Bell – a modern roots masterpiece. As Vaughn Benjamin's first-ever full-length collaboration with a Jamaican producer, Kings Bell was a historic release and features some of the greatest musicians the genre has ever seen including Leroy \"Horsemouth\" Wallace, Earl \"Chinna\" Smith, Squidley Cole, Mikey \"Boo\" Richards and Sticky Thompson.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe driving musical force behind the album, producer and bassist Andrew \"Bassie\" Campbell has crafted beautiful rhythms that truly compliment the deep lyrics of Vaughn Benjamin. The power and authenticity of Andrew Bassie's productions stand out from the mass of slickly-produced modern roots coming out of Jamaica today. Much of the music was recorded organically in Jamaica at Tuff Gong Studio, with additional overdubs, vocal recording and mixing completed at I Grade's studio in St. Croix. The result is a collection of songs that capture not only the essence of classic roots from the hands and minds of some of the individuals who have literally helped build the genre, but also the urgency and innovation of the present time. In more than seventy albums and in over twenty years of Midnite music nothing like this cross-fertilization of Jamaican classic roots tradition mixed with St. Croix's own deep roots tradition has ever happened, making \"Kings Bell\" a glowing highlight in the expansive catalogue of Vaughn Benjamin. A catalogue born from a non-stop movement in pursuit of progressing his craft and delivering his message to the world. One of Benjamin's most fruitful stops along his journey was with I Grade Records, headed by producer\/engineer\/multi-instrumentalist Laurent \"Tippy I\" Alfred, regarded by many as some of the finest work of his career.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Before Zero Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50466462400843,"sku":"2004067","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_25_5d360bde_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727313946"},{"product_id":"rightful-ruler","title":"Rightful Ruler","description":"\u003cp\u003eRIGHTFUL RULER returns the legendary Jamaican vocalist Earl 16 to the center stage of international roots reggae music. This four song showcase style ep demonstrates that matching an A-class veteran singer\/ songwriter with the sounds of the Zion I Kings (ZIK) production team serves to revitalize the musical forces long associated with the classic reggae tradition- roots, reality, and culture!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEarl 16's career now spans five decades and is marked by hits and highlights throughout. HIs Jamaican recordings from the cornerstone studios (Studio One, Black Ark, Channel One) are still sought after gems from the golden age. But, unlike many of his peers, Earl 16 successfully adopted the changing sounds and styles of reggae in the U.K.(where he resides) and collaborated with top producers like Mad Professor and Nick Mannaseh. He has remained current into the new millennium with \"Release The Pressure\", a notable vocal to LeftField's breakthrough drum \u0026amp; bass hit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe all star lineup of musicians on RIGHTFUL RULER is anchored by drums provided by ace producer and multi-instrumentalist Roberto Sanchez (A-Lone Productions). Keyboards by Pau \"Nattykeyz\" Dangla Valls and trumpet by Patrick \"Aba Ariginal\" Tenyue complement the rhythmic foundations set by ZIK core players David \"JAH David\" Goldfine (bass) and Laurent \"Tippy I\" Alfred (rhythm guitar, piano, organ). Sheldon Bernard's flute and Errol \"Blacksteel\" Nicholson's background vocals are heard on the title track and lead guitars by David Prout and Andrew \"Moon\" Bain appear on \"Find A Way\", a feature with the dynamic toasting of Mr. Williamz. All dub mixes are done by JAH David with cover art by Ato K.D. Roberts .\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Before Zero Records","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50466463351115,"sku":"2002614","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_2_8b8aed4d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727313967"},{"product_id":"ride-tru","title":"Ride Tru","description":"\u003cp\u003eAkae Beka's inimitable style of rich, deep, multi-layered songwriting, uncompromising devotion to RasTafari and soulful healing melodies developed over decades performing with St. Croix based band Midnite and countless recordings. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe stellar production trinity that is Zion I Kings have been involved collectively and individually in creating some of the most highly regarded contributions to the vast Akae Beka catalogue. Ride Tru, originally released digitally and on CD in 2014, stood every chance disappearing into the all eclipsing shadow of the LP released by them earlier that year, Beauty for Ashes, which had been named by iTunes as the reggae album of the year. A monumental achievement for undiluted, uncompromising RasTafari roots reggae music this side of the millennium. So needless to say, the bar was high and Vaughn Benjamin and Zion I Kings must have known that, as they managed to raise it higher again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRide Tru continues in the same form, rootsy, soulful, refreshingly polished and authentically raw, the threads of anciency that any devout reggae lover will be looking for and the threads of modernity that keep it alive and appealing in the modern day. A uniquely regal tapestry that has become synonymous with music created from the unity of Zion I Kings and Vaughn Benjamin\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing 8 years of anxious anticipation, for the countless Akae Beka fans that are also vinyl connoisseurs, this LP is now being released on as a 12\" vinyl LP courtesy of Before Zero Records. This offers the listener not only the chance to enjoy this LP in an analogue form, but also the chance to hold the artwork as a 12\" square masterpiece, created by the hands of Ras Marcus, the artist who gave the powerful visual presence that became synonymous to much of the I Grade \/ Akae Beka works over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Before Zero Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50486256107851,"sku":"1161649","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/70a99b40-82bc-4caf-a596-b51f4dc09e01_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727607641"},{"product_id":"beauty-for-ashes","title":"Beauty For Ashes","description":"\u003cp\u003eAkae Beka's inimitable style of rich, deep, multi-layered songwriting, uncompromising devotion to RasTafari and soulful healing melodies developed over decades performing with St. Croix based band Midnite and countless recordings. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe stellar production trinity that is Zion I Kings have been involved collectively and individually in creating some of the most highly regarded contributions to the vast Akae Beka catalogue. Beauty For Ashes was named as the best reggae album of 2014 according to iTunes. A monumental achievement for undiluted, uncompromising RasTafari roots reggae music this side of the millennium. Two of the LP's tracks, Weather the Storm and Same I Ah One, have been catapulted into global notoriety in part due to the viral success of the YouTube video of the 'Dub in the Rainforest' session organised in St. Croix by Tippy I in 2014. The video offered an unparalleled audio visual insight of the powerful, captivating, energy of Vaughn Benjamin, Pressure Buss Pipe, Ras Batch, and many of the bredrin and sisterin of St. Croix rallying around the I Grade Dub living dub experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing 8 years of anxious anticipation, for the countless Akae Beka fans that are also vinyl connoisseurs, this LP is now being released on as a 12\" vinyl LP courtesy of Before Zero Records. This offers the listener not only the chance to enjoy this LP in an analogue form, but also the chance to hold the artwork as a 12\" square masterpiece, created by the hands of Ras Marcus, the artist who gave the powerful visual presence that became synonymous to much of the I Grade \/ Akae Beka works over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Before Zero Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50490158285131,"sku":"1169519","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b84a4701-46de-4712-a4fc-68356dac8583_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727653381"},{"product_id":"portals","title":"Portals","description":"\u003cp\u003eAkae Beka's inimitable style, developed over decades performing with St. Croix based band Midnite. At the point of his untimely passing in 2019, he had released over 70LP's. His prolific output coupled with his uniquely rich, deep, multilayered songwriting and uncompromising devotion to RasTafari has earned him a place amongst the reggae legends.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe production trinity, Zion I Kings have been involved collectively and individually in co-creating some of the most highly regarded contributions to the vast Akae Beka catalogue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow available on 12\" vinyl courtesy of Before Zero Records, Portals was originally released on CD and Digital in 2016. It garnered critical acclaim and held position in the billboard charts top 10 for 2 weeks. Produced collaboratively between Zion I Kings and Vaughn Benjamin (Akae Beka), who co-produced \u0026amp; arranged 5 of the 13 songs himself, alongside the ZIK players in St. Croix's Aqua Sounds Studio. The album's sound continues a trajectory of textural, guitar-driven roots reggae that Zion I Kings and Padraic Coursey first explored on the track \"Weather the Storm\" on 2014's Beauty for Ashes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Before Zero Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50530211889483,"sku":"1157035","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d27b8940-83f4-4c8f-b77c-bfb1e286874b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728074149"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_9c9ee14d_thumbnail_4096_40b0b3aa-24f8-4cf2-8efa-7cc68cbed118.jpg?v=1727246110","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/collections\/before-zero-records.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}