LIVING TESTAMENT by Akae Beka, Go A Chant, Trinity Farm, Before Zero Records, I-Roots Records

Vaughn Benjamin, the voice of Midnite and Akae Beka, was one of the best and most prolific reggae vocalists of the modern era. He was a scholar, poet, teacher, and solver of mysteries. A voracious reader, he was incredibly creative - constantly writing poems and songs. Those close to him advise that he had a photographic memory, which helps explain the broad field of topics he discussed with precise detail in his work. He released over 70 albums in a 25-year period.

LIVING TESTAMENT is the final album Vaughn Benjamin recorded before he transitioned in November of 2019. In late October of 2019, he travelled to Grass Valley, California, recording this 11-track album at Ras Biblical’s studio, Trinity Farm, over a period of 2 days. The producers gathered 11 masterful musicians on these tracks, including Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra, Denfield “Ras Pulse” Potter, Walker Pillow, Scott Lynwood Davis, Befekadu Assefa and Tuff Lion. Together, these musicians weaved together a powerful family of songs that that tell a timeless and truly unique story, a masterpiece of roots reggae.

LIVING TESTAMENT includes the single ‘Who Will Go For Us’ which was released on January 6th 2024 with a video filmed on location in Ethiopia. In the coming weeks, we’ll be speaking with Go A Chant and Biblical, who were present for the creation of this album. We’ll learn about these recording sessions and what happened behind the scenes.

LIVING TESTAMENT is a monumental album and an important piece of history. It will be available on LP, CD, and high-quality download on February 16th courtesy of Go A Chant, Trinity Farm, Before Zero Records, and I-Roots Records. The majestic cover artwork was created by Ras Elijah Tafari. Order the LP and CD at: www.irootsrecords.com and www.iroots.bandcamp.com

Tracklist

1.	Stone Of The Corner	4:35

2.	Going On A Mission	4:14

3.	Rebellion Running	5:24

4.	All Around Man Yard	3:53

5.	Who Will Go For Us	3:53

6.	Holding The Amen Key	3:46

7.	Keeper Of The Gate	3:43

8.	Who Is The Rejector	4:35

9.	Cream Of Joy	4:25

10.	Reforms Unseen	5:19

11.	S On The Chest	4:29

Credits

released February 16, 2024

01. STONE OF THE CORNER
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, D. W. Potter)
Binghi: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra, Ras Dennis, Denfield W “Ras Pulse” Potter
Bass, Guitar and Keys: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Piano: Walker Pillow
Flute: David “Golden Boy”

02. GOING ON A MISSION
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, W. Pillow, B. Assefa, S. Lynwood)
Drums and Percussion: Scott Lynwood Davis
Bass: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Keys: Befekadu Assefa
Guitars: Walker Pillow

03. REBELLION RUNNING
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, W. Pillow, B. Asefa. S. Lynwood)
Drums and Percussion: Scott Lynwood Davis
Bass: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Keys: Befekadu Assefa
Guitars: Walker Pillow
Trombone: Pablo Trombon
Trumpet: Chispa

04. ALL AROUND MAN YARD
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, D. W. Potter)
Drums and Percussion: Denfield W “Ras Pulse” Potter
Bass, Keys, Pick Guitar: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Riddim and Lead Guitar: Walker Pillow

05. WHO WILL GO FOR US
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, W. Pillow, B. Assefa, S. Lynwood)
Drums and Percussion: Scott Lynwood Davis
Bass: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Keys: Befekadu Assefa
Guitars: Walker Pillow
Trombon: Pablo Trombon
Trumpet: Chispa

06. HOLDING THE AMEN KEY
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, W. Pillow, D. W. Potter, B. Assefa)
Drums and Percussion: Denfield W “Ras Pulse” Potter
Bass: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Keys: Befekadu Assefa
Guitars: Walker Pillow

07. KEEPER OF THE GATE
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, D. W. Potter, W. Pillow)
Drums and percussion: Denfield W “Ras Pulse” Potter
Bass and Bubble: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Guitars and Keys: Walker Pillow
Saxophone: Mauro Novoa

08. WHO IS THE REJECTOR
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, D. W. Potter, W. Pillow)
Drums and Percussion: Denfield W “Ras Pulse” Potter
Bass: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Guitars and Keys: Walker Pillow

09. CREAM OF JOY
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, D. W. Potter, W. Pillow)
Drums and Percussion: Denfield W “Ras Pulse” Potter
Bass: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Guitars and Keys: Walker Pillow

10. REFORMS UNSEEN
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, D. W. Potter, W. Pillow)
Drums: Denfield W “Ras Pulse” Potter
Bass and Percussion: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Guitars and Keys: Walker Pillow
Chimes Percussion: Scott Lynwood Davis

11. S ON THE CHEST
(V. Benjamin, M. Guerra, D. W. Potter, B. Assefa, W. Pillow)
Drums: Denfield W “Ras Pulse” Potter
Bass: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
Riddim Guitar and Piano: Walker Pillow
Synth: Befekadu Aseffa
Guitar: Tuff Lion

All Songs Recorded and Mixed By: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
All Lyrics and Vocal Melodies by: Vaughn A. Benjamin
Recorded at: Trinity Farm Studio
Mastered by: Mike Caplan (Lion and Fox)
Cover Artwork by: Ras Elijah Tafari
Graphic Design: Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra
2023 Trinity Farm Music / Go A Chant Productions

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