From Kingston's Fire to Te Mata's Forge: Midnight Riders meets the Naram Rhythm Section
Review by Luka H, dubnreggaeambassador
It’s not often that I find an album that from track to track I am truly amazed. Midnight Riders meets the Naram Rhythm Section is this album. Before reading this I implore you to fire up this album and listen to it.
Midnight Riders meets the Naram Rhythm Section is a remarkable collaboration that bridges the golden era of reggae with a fresh, modern touch masterfully created by the gifted Naram. Midnight Riders, originally a vocal duo hailing from Duhaney Park, Kingston, Jamaica, made their mark in the early '80s with their distinct Waterhouse vocal style.
Led by Winston Powell, a Bob Marley Lifetime Achievement nominee, Midnight Riders' debut LP is a landmark achievement, emerging decades after Powell refined his craft in legendary Jamaican studios like Channel One and Blue Mountain. The Midnight Riders explore themes of life in Jamaica, layers of love and of course, true to the reggae genre, the many injustices in the world. The passionate utterances resonate perfectly with the overall sound and riddim of the album.
On the other side of the world, the masterful Naram, a rub-a-dub maestro from Te Mata, New Zealand, crafted the album's mesmerizingly iconic rhythms. Known for his dedication to preserving and reimagining reggae’s foundational sounds; with his studio being dominated by original 80s hardware, and an aversion to sounds being programmed on a computer, opting for hand played live recordings.
Naram recorded, mixed, and produced the tracks, drawing on influences from roots reggae, rub-a-dub, and digital dancehall culture. Naram flaunts his expert skills in this album, artfully creating beats that complement The Midnight Riders tone and cadence with every song. Each beat is iconically unique, immersing me into a beautifully dubby authentic analog sound.
This collaboration, born of nearly five years of work and two trips to Jamaica, brings together Powell’s soulful storytelling and Naram’s visionary production, creating a beautiful tribute to the timeless spirit of the reggae genre.
The opening track, “Yardie Skanking” sets the tone of the album, introducing the listener with an authentic bopping dub riddim. Naram’s deep bass mixed with the higher toned melody compliments the spirited echoing vocals of the Midnight Riders singing “Yardie Skanking, skanking all night”. I find myself listening to this track often on the way to a soundsystem, “Sweet reggae music make me dance all night”.
“Rebel in Disguise” is a serious tune, from the start of the track, the impactful bass hits with power from the start and continues combining with the flawlessly flowing lyrics of the Midnight Riders. Listening to “Rebel in Disguise” mesmerises, forcing my body to move with the riddim.
When I first heard “Bobby Was a Gangster” it felt like an instant classic, the hard hitting build up to the big bassline from Naram, with catchy lyrics, I’ve been blasting this track as loud as I can. I have to hear this track on a soundsystem someday soon. It’s such a big tune.
"Sick and Tired of the Killing," offers a timely and poignant reflection on the enduring scourge of conflict. The song's raw lyrics expose the political exploitation inherent in war, police brutality, resonating deeply with current times. The defiant lyrics are backed by a steady dub foundation that adds a layer of soulful urgency to its message. I find myself singing along to the lyrics as I read each news story, questioning when the suffering will end. “Dread in America” is another undoubtedly dubby tune showing Naram’s craftsmanship and dedication to the genre. This track explores themes of struggle and resilience in the face of oppression, Midnight Riders blend seamlessly with the riddim of the track.
This collaboration transcends geographical and generational boundaries, harnessing the authenticity of Midnight Riders, Jamaican vocal tradition in combination with the innovative, analog-driven production of a New Zealand maestro Naram. Midnight Riders meets the Naram Rhythm Section masterfully balances classic reggae and dub elements with unique spirit, creating a memorable album that is both familiar and fresh.
If you’re a lover of big bass, dubby riddims and lyrics that flow, you have to check out Midnight Riders meets the Naram Rhythm Section. I hope to hear more from this collab.
By Luka H.
