Righteous Synergy by Akae Beka

"Righteous Synergy" by Akae Beka [Fifth Son Records]

So let's see if we can still do one of these. During our prolonged and basically still ongoing hiatus, there have been many changes in the music that we at least made an attempt to cover on these pages over the years when we were active. Some artists have, wonderfully, developed into stars while others have, not so wonderfully, ceded to the tests of times. With that being said, however, it is definitely the case of one of my absolute favourites altogether and probably my single favourite to write about which stands apart in so many ways. I won't deal with the direct line of what has occurred with the inimitable Vaughn Benjamin, because if you're set to read one of these things, then you surely already know, but given that set of permanent circumstances, how remarkable is it that now, a year and a half on, while so many things have changed -- others have remained the same. 

It's 2021. The world has kind of ended, basically, but you and I are still somehow here. And now we have a brand new album from Akae Beka and despite everything that has changed -- with everyone that has left us - something about this just seems to fantastically comforting and IMPORTANT in time. Said album, the PERFECTLY titled "Righteous Synergy", becomes the latest (and hopefully not final) collaboration between Benjamin and Fifth Son Records. The pairing has definitely demonstrated a powerful amount of...... righteous synergy, throughout the years which has really made up some of the most substantial offerings from Midnite/Akae Beka over the past decade and a half, which is saying a lot. Their unions are typically very HEAVY vibed sets which, at least in my opinion, are more likely to be best received by more familiar fans of Akae Beka/Midnite. They also have a more of 'PLANTED' situation where, not unlike Benjamin's music in general, it has been my experience that the more you listen to the FSR albums, the more they grow on you. The last three albums produced in this collaboration, 2016's "Homage To The Land" (There's a tune on that album called 'Just Decided' which has become one of my favourites), "Be Strong" which released in 2013 and "In Awe" from the year prior, perfectly exemplify that situation: They were very good when I first heard them, all of them, half a decade on from the latest one and more than nine years from the first of them - and they all now rank as some of my personal favourites from ANYONE. And I haven't even mentioned the two before that, "Momentum" and the double set "Standing Ground" ["AND HE EVER WAS SO. JAH KNOW, HE EVER WAS SO"] or the latter's dubbed out counterpart.

So,  CLEARLY I would be most interested in the next pairing that this most righteous of unions would produce (and the one after that and the one after that and the one after that). Therefore, today we're taking a look and listen at the latest release from Akae Beka and Fifth Son Records, "Righteous Synergy".

{Spoiler: I REALLY like this album}

{Note: This was actually started prior to the look at the "Polarities" album. We'd done the intro and most of the first track}

{Note 2: Been a minute since I've done one of these (not anymore) and this isn't the easiest music to write about, so please forgive the horrible writing (that part still applies)}

{Note 3: ....... or don't, I don't care. Just know that this will be bad}

{Note 4: I have really missed doing these things}

1. 'Righteous Synergy'

The opening and eponymous selection of "Righteous Synergy" ranks easily amongst the class titles on the album named after it and it is, as you expect, absolutely brimming with material. As far as its vibe, you go from opening with this downright majestic horn (it literally sounds like someone very important is about to enter the room) (and that is exactly what is about to happen) and flow directly into this downright COOL sound which prevails for the duration of the tune. And while Benjamin does provide his typical genius, the sound here is nearly as big of a star and deservedly so (we get stretches of music only, which are sublime) (there is a GOLDEN saxophone in there). As to that aforementioned "genius", what Benjamin seems to present as his idea of a most 'righteous synergy' is something positive which brings ones together. And you don't really see this very often from him but it's kind of a song which purely celebrates the music to a very snug degree. This song will make you feel good.

"Bashment a gwan mi seh
Di people dem show up ya now without delay
Let it be a rendevous or company
Wait there is a  joyful noise - come revelry
To be in tranquiility and inna plenty
EMBRACE THE GIFTS OF JAH FOR THE WORLD TO SEE
Everything is not just dishonour and depravity
Let them hear a sound resounding with equity
All the members of the earth that was born from Trinity -
In Africa, Ethiopia is your ancestry"

2. 'Bubble Up'

'Bubble Up' is just a GEM of a tune. A GEM! In its six minutes and seven seconds' length (the longest piece on "Righteous Synergy" by twenty-two seconds) (interestingly, the last four album from Benjamin and FSR, "In Awe", "Be Strong", "Homage To the Land" and now "Rghteous Synergy" have all been ten tracks long - even more synergy) it makes a MASSIVE impact and, at least for the moment, it is my favourite song on this album (though I'll probably change my mind before you read this). I took the message here as being one praising the differences we all have from one another inherently and how they not only can be wonderful things, but how they can also bring people together.

"Saying yeah fellow journey-ones
On Jah mission here and a out, long belong
Supporting the agenda of peace on earth mi son
Children of the sun
Children of the sun!
DECORATED OF THE ELEMENTS IN THEIR FLESH AND ON THE GROUND
Children of the sun
Children of the sun!"

The final two minutes or so of 'Bubble Up' is kind of a dub version of the song. Benjamin makes contributions, here and there, but the music is given a shine and that is exactly what it does. Throughout,  it has this very LARGE sound which only intensifies during that stretch later on. This is another one of those tunes from Benjamin and FSR which just have..... such a sublime vibes to it and will last with me for a very long time ("I hold his majesty in awe. In awe. In awe!"). Listen to it very keenly and I won't be the only one saying that.

3. 'Responsible For It'

'Responsible For It' is one of those compositions from Vaughn Benjamin where it seems as if he woke up and walked into the studio that day with virtually nothing on his mind besides making a point. Although in this case he is a bit more observing of the riddim behind him (if you've listened to his music for any bit of time, you know that Benjamin, occassionally, has moments where he leaves you wondering if he could even hear the track because he went on as if he were entirely oblivious to and did not give a damn about it) which makes for a very interesting selection, sonically speaking. That sound, which is strong, plays support to a very unifying message that 'we are all in this together'. We are all responsible for our own actions as individuals as well as collectively. And he makes compelling connections, going further, and bridging out towards things as important as setting good examples for younger people. And, despite being as lyrical as it surely is, 'Responsible For It' actually has a very immediate type of vibes to it and I wasn't at all surprised to see that it was chosen as the album's second single (I believe the first was the title track).

"Ask He, Haile Selassie, The Return-ed Christ
Ask HIM decry the direction of yah future so bright
RATHER THAN GIVE DIRECTIVES WHICH RESULT IN TAKE LIFE
RATHER THAN INFLUENCE MILLIONS TO EXTINGUISH LIGHT
Intricate inside insight fi into wisdom rights
Coulda fit to defy logic to make any similar type comply
TO STIMULATE THE FEELING JUST ENHANCE ADVICE
Yes, the whole generation full up a talent and vibes"

4. 'Manger'

As you may presume from its title, 'Manger' finds Benjamin going almost completely biblical. While the tune can come off as a bit of a lesson or musical dissertation, the real beauty on pieces such as this one, at least for me, is how the artist can relate such a topic to a more common and current point of view.

"Seeing as how they have used these same tactics in the past
Ethiopian prostrating to pray and fast
Upgrading the future - must retain the past
The fullness of a praise with a grateful heart"

The work done on that end on 'Manger' is masterful. An immediate listen to it has the vibes of it being "completely biblical", but when you press this one just a little more, it actually blossoms into something that you could call a social commentary - which is about as a signficant shift as you'll hear from anyone. And I could also say the same thing about the vibe here as well. The more I listen to the music here, the more II enjoy it, it develops into something more and it is really one of my favourites on the whole of the album.

5. 'Do My Best'

Listening to 'Do My Best' actually brought a question to my mind which I don't know that I've ever had in regards to Vaughn Benjamin: Have I ever REALLY heard him emotional? CLEARLY he is someone who is either fantastic at keeping them in check or he he simply has different way of expressing them than most people ("wearing emotions on your sleeve burdens your shoulder"), but you typically don't hear him in that way. HOWEVER, when I listen to 'Do My Best', I think I'm hearing an emotional Benjamin. From its beginning, the song comes off as somewhat sad and it doesn't mean that it isn't nice to listen to (it is), but what it turns out to be isn't necessarily a 'sad song'. Instead, what I hear is something which covers a range of emotions. I hear LOVE. There is a spot at ~ 3:20 in where the composition (which, by this point, has fully developed and while it isn't ever what I would call a LARGE sound, it is detailed and nearly fully engaged by now) (including that SWEET piano key sound) comes to a near halt and Benjamin is there.

"KNOWING AS I DO, THAT I DID MY BEST FOR YOU
KNOWING AS I DO, THAT I DO MY BEST FOR YOU"

NOW (!) if you know the circumstances around Benjamin (and you surely do), those lyrics have such a soaring amount of power and resonance. They BOOM right in the middle of this song! And there's emotion in his voice. It isn't Capleton throwing a fire at any and everything that is flammable, but it is a certain amount of love and reverence and spice in his voice which is not always there in my opinion.
 

{Note: I just finished talking about this song, so you can go right onto the next but I'm going to go on for a minute because I'm feeling it}

He "did his best". I don't even know how many albums in we're at now - I think I recently read 72. He "did his best". He could not have done better. And he left us, so wonderfully, with a gift that will NEVER stop giving because each and every time you listen to an Akae Beka/Midnite/Vaughn Benjamin piece, it isn't alone what you think it is. I sit here and I attempt to break down meanings but I am wrong every time. I will always be wrong! But it's the journey that it provides - efforting to find a meaning in such a mighty piece of work that is the greatest chunk of evidence of something truly special. And when you do your best and it is THIS, you become someone who has done the impossible - You could never REALLY die, even if you tried. Your work lives on and it EVOLVES in your absence. For all who are willing to  truly listen, Vaughn Benjamin will provide you with your own personal remix of every single song he ever made, every time you listen to one of them.

"If there are many like you, I haven't met them"

If there are ANY like you, I haven't met them.

6. 'Became A Queen'

Now lets see if I can stop crying and write the second half of this.... or maybe I'll finish it tomorrow. Yep. That's enough for today. Let's continue! 'Became A Queen' is a very interesting selection for a few different reasons. First of all, if you just take it on a superficial level (which would be a mistake) (always a mistake to do that when listening to this man's music), you have a very strong selection. Benjamin, in somewhat of a biographical offering, tells us about a little girl who goes through many difficulties and endures to, ultimately, become a queen. Again, that alone, in a song is a compelling foundation and can lead you to think of ideas such as upliftment and inspiration. However, while listening I do hear a few parallels between the life of the subject of 'Became A Queen' and what I know of that of Empress Menen. He mentions her being a refugee and even mentions the role her uncle plays in her upbringing. And while I wouldn't at all say that it is directly biographical, I wouldn't at all be surprised if it were at least loosely based on Her Imperial Majesty. In any case, it's an excellent song and one of the finest highlights on the whole of "Righteous Synergy". I should also mention that 'Became A Queen', most fittingly, is armed with a ROYAL sounding vibe. By its end, the listener is left thinking that he/she has heard something of a grand significance and importance and that is precisely what has occurred.

7. 'Groove Stampede'

While the track before it may or may not be somewhat biographical, I'm even more confident (confidenter?) that 'Groove Stampede' is at least a little autobiographical which, at least as far as I can remember, would place it in a very select company. Vaughn Benjamin spends a great deal of time making music about a variety of things, but Vaughn Benjamin is not one of them (or is he???).

"Rastafari I deh yah seh
Every since I set up pon di Lion's highway
Mek a way in my spirit how to clean up my way
Livity inna satis-fully whole journey
Meeting singers and players of instruments along di way
Forward to publish of The Almighty"

That is golden to my ears. We find Benjamin, rather matter-of-factly dealing with his own journey and what brought him to the music and to His Majesty. He talks about some of the people he's met and the overall importance that music has played in his life. Furthermore, he seems to acknowledge and embrace a further reaching RESPONSIBILITY that he and his peers have as they have a platform which is best utilized in spreading uplifting messages ["What ahgo  happen fi you ignore His majestic decree? It's a formula for failure and finality. IT'S A RECIPE TO END UP INNA APOTHECARY"]. Despite its simplicity, and maybe even enhanced by it, 'Groove Stampede' is one of the finest lyrical efforts on this album and a joy to take in.

8. 'African Liberation Talk'

Before I even start to go into the words of 'African Liberation Talk', I definitely want to say that it is my choice as the most sonically pleasing song on 'Righteous Synergy'. BOOM! The riddim on this song is so beautiful. From its first beep, it comes with a sound I would describe as 'curious', but what is to come is a giant bar of gold. There's also this SWEET horn/saxophone which is particularly present later on which is such a powerful, yet subtle, addition. By its, you almost feel as if you've just heard three or four songs instead of one.

Vaughn Benjamin employs that wonderful composition to put forth a finacially-centric excellent social commentary. Covering several things, reaching all the way to the IMF, he speaks on the way money has been ill-used and misappropriated throughout the years and the result has been (or was it the intention all along?) that people have been impoverished, enslaved and just generally stuck in a never improving cycle of mistreatment. What I most enjoy here lyrically, however, is how Benjamin makes the separation between this awful behaviour and Rastafari.

"The Rastaman pass, royal garments and his harp
Up in the park, African liberation talk"

It's almost as if he's saying, "We have no time for this nonsense. None at all. But we know exactly what you're doing". The next step he takes on that line of thinking is even more interesting in my opinion:

"Abusive power - skimming off the top
They must be making cheese and bread non-stop
Then they try to put a whale inna teacup
The magnitude of offenses: They acknowledge not
They must si man like a cub and like a pup
WHEN RASTA DUN HAVE DEM BURDEN FI LIFT UP"

There, Rastafari ceases being this kind of non-interfering observer and becomes someone who is, literally, left to clean up the mess. The word which I first thought of was that Benjamin was making Rasta the CONSCIENCE on the message of this song (you could say "HEART", but for me heart is too... accommodating, it would mean supportive) (....I know, I'm a nerd). It is such a finely constructed song and one which, I'm sure, will keep me busy for quite awhile (like right now).

9. 'Covenant Ark'

The penultimate effort on "Righteous Synergy", once again, apparently finds Vaughn Benjamin in the mood to get straight down to work. And the work he does get around to doing on 'Covenant Ark' easily ranks amongst the most attractive (in every way) on the album. While there is a centralizing theme on the tune, it comes through almost as a freestyle. My thought was that the artist was doing a bit of cleaning in his mind and these were some ideas that he placed together in this outstanding selection, which he then goes on to provide an 'umbrella' for, lyrically (it kind of reminds me of an older song called 'Mic Row Assemble' from the "Infinite Quality" album. That was another one where it seemed as if Benjamin was just pouring out ideas that he had been working on for awhile) (".....Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs Mustafa Hamsho"), after going in so many different directions.

"Dem studying this ting yah from race and class
People now all make all kind of a racist remark-
About who light-bright skinned and about who dark
People all now encouraging is not afraid fi talk
Inna di public interaction, inna restaurant and commercial park
VOLATILITY AND VITRIOL INNA DI MEDITATION AH SHUT OFF
Dem nah go spare di cow, dem neva spare di calf
Upon di thoroughfare, upon di highway, sometime a nuff bloodbath"

After the musical voyage that we are taken on here (which includes a stop at, "That is not rehydration, that is a little shot glass"), our final destination is one of SOURCE -- the source of all things. Which makes you wonder if he actually did takes us... very far... at all?

"Tell heaven and earth that Ethiopia have the covenant ark
Tell heaven and earth Ethiopia have the covenant ark"

Oh and I love the horns! Thank you!

10. 'Spirit Of Love'

And lastly, 'Spirit Of Love' provides us all with a final moment of relection and a time to just appreciate some of the simpler and more obvious things that we have in life ["Need food to eat - must put seed in ground"]. For me, this is a composition about 'decluttering' yourself and your mind. Here, Vaughn Benjamin speaks about things such as nature, emotions and others -- things over which we, ultimately, have no control -- and he suggests that we find a joy in not only those things, themselves, but the fact that are existing without our guidance. That we depend on them. They do not depend on us.

 

 

I simply HAVE TO say something about the cover art on this album. You look at that! Look at it! I believe the credit goes to the same Ras Elijah Tafari who has done many album covers for Vaughn Benjamin albums including every other album from Fifth Son Records. That man is a genius. A talented genius!

Tafari's visuals have made a powerful and righteous synergy with the audios of Vaughn Benjamin and Fifth Son Records over the years and, in this latest iteration, they've reached with one of their finest pieces of work. The FSR albums always seem to come with a very heavy type of sound and its been my experience that more seasoned fans of Benjamin's tend to react more with them. However, half of this album, at least in my opinion, should be easier for even newer listeners to enjoy. Again, I SURE do hope that this isn't the end of this wonderful union and there is another project to come from that vault, but if it is, "Righteous Synergy" and its older 'siblings' have absolutely thrilled us and will surely continue to.

"Righteous Synergy" by Akae Beka is currently available digitally via Zojak Worldwide, as well as physically (CD AND LP). FIFTHSONRECORDS.COM