NEW MUSIC: Stream Midnite-I Grade + Lutan Fyah’s “When JAH Arise”

Words by Kieran K. Meadows—

Last week we told you the long-awaited new Midnite album with St. Croix-based roots reggae label I Grade Records, Beauty For Ashes, was due for release in January, and featured the lead single, “Same I Ah One.”

This week sees the release of “When JAH Arise,” the second single from the collaborative project. It’s a cross-island affair, pairing the Virgin Islands band with Spanish Town, Jamaica’s Lutan Fyah. While this isn’t the first time these two have teamed up —in fact Fyah recently appeared alongside Midnite singer Vaughn Benjamin in I Grade’s vibe-heavy Dub in the Fishmarket video series— this might be their most focused effort together yet. This conscious combination tune is all about praising the power of Haile Selassie I Jah Rastafari, and the redemption and peace to come when Jah arises. The music matches hopeful yet confident lyrics, as the two sing over an uplifting and upbeat dub rockers riddim, produced by Zion I Kings, and accented by subtle horn arrangements.

Stream “When JAH Arise” below and look out for the Same I Ah One EP, which drops next week, and includes this track, as well as the title single with Pressure.