The Akae Beka Scrolls

Vaughn Benjamin, the voice of Midnite and Akae Beka, is one of the most prolific reggae lyricists of the modern era. He was a scholar, poet and teacher. He released over 80 albums in a 25-year period. In late October of 2019, Vaughn travelled to Grass Valley, California to record at Ras Biblical’s studio, Trinity Farm. Earlier this year, the album “Living Testament” album was released from those sessions. Yet, there’s more to this story! In Biblical’s words: “THE AKAE BEKA SCROLLS manifested through the creative brilliance of Vaughn Benjamin as super-producer magnetizing the musicians to this inity of spirit and mind, calling on all skillfulness. These 12 dubs are a sound of veteran players of instruments inna oneness and brothers inna oneness across the whole earth! Coming together for a reason, each dub precisely directed by Vaughn. With humbleness each musician brought to life in real time such harmony and powers, this music is the reason, the cream of the crop.” The day after Living Testament was recorded, Vaughn advised that he wanted to record some riddims. An all-star team gathered, including: • Ras Pulse - drums & percussions • Scott Davis - drums • Kenyatta Itola - bass • Ryan ‘Ishence’ Willard – guitars • Manuel ‘Go A Chant’ Guerra - keys, bass & percussion • Ras Kemo - percussion • Vaughn - synth, whistle & percussion Once everyone was assembled, Vaughn laid out his creative vision by humming what he wanted each musician to play. Each dub was composed and directed by Vaughn. THE AKAE BEKA SCROLLS is a unique album in the discography of Akae Beka. It’s an instrumental album with several interludes of Vaughn singing and playing acoustic guitar.