ROR 2001

LIVE SHOW Review

Full Moon and Full House as Midnite plays Denver Reggae Series

Denver Reggae Series feat Midnite

October 15, 2005, Cervante's Masterpiece ballroom

Story by Matthew Allen

Oct 17, Denver, Co -  Originally scheduled for Quixote’s, overwhelming demand for Midnite at the latest installment of the ReggaeMovement.com’s Denver Reggae Series this past Saturday caused the show to be moved to Cervante’s, Quixote’s sister venue next door.

“We just felt that due to the demand leading up to the show, the worst thing we could do is to keep people from the experience that is Midnite,”  Larry Leiber of Reggae Movement, the show’s organizer,  commented on the events of the night.

“What started off as a show,” he proceeded, “quickly became an event that everyone will talk about for a long time.  Unexpected and amazing, it was a beautiful show all around.”

He couldn’t have said it more clearly, as those who had the experience to catch Midnite, and wait until they took the stage after midnight, were treated to a performance of uniqueness and subdued revelry which is hardly matched in today’s reggae music.

As Cervante’s filled to near capacity, the energy slowly grew from the early evening through the openers, I and I Soundsystem and Lion SoulJahs, towards Midnite.  A roots based reggae band from St. Croix, Midnite has been receiving rave reviews from critics around the world for their roots based music, producing a certain appeal hardly found in much of today’s music.

Midnite puts on a powerful, monotone show, subtle and continuing rhythms and sounds based upon the roots of music.  With Vaughn Benjamin as the front man, the focus of solidarity and band togetherness combines to alleviate fans from emotional ups and downs and lets the crowd settle into the experience for the next few hours.

Playing until nearly 3am, Midnite provided the crowd with a semblance of roots, flowing rhythms, snaky bass lines, and a powerful performance and then left abrubtly.  Midnite was good, powerful, and easy on the ears, and as always, a treat to consciousness.

Lion SoulJahs, Denver’s most recognizable reggae band, opened the show with some difficulty due to some sound issues, one of the only complaints anyone would have on this beautiful night of roots reggae music.  I and I Soundsystem roots rocked the crowd with a mix of eclectic and popular music from today to yesteryear.  “I had no idea who these guys were,” one dedicated fan commented, “but I tell you, some of the best music I’ve heard in a while.”

The Denver Reggae Series, Reggaemovement.com's effort to bring reggae through Denver, was well represented.  Smooth, continuous, the production of the show, save for some sound issues, was an amazing  medley of Reggae Music for 7 hours. 

Reviewed by Larry Leiber, Reggae Movement

Comments can be sent to Larry Leiber

Emails and Comments

Neal “King Ras” Henzler--This was my 7^th ROR in 13 years – and it was one of the best ever. Sure, not a lot of big-name acts, but it was great to hear a lot of original roots reggae that doesn’t hit the mainstream.  Our gang of hard-core fans were once again seated in the second row, centered on the stage and even though the weather was challenging, the music kept playing and so did we.  The Dubcats were awesome, as were Matisyahu and the Easy Star All Stars.   How about Judge Roughneck sampling the opening riffs for Burning Spear’s African Postman, then gradually dropping out to leave the drummer to carry the charge?  Or, Matisyahu’s lead singer sitting atop the tall speaker and enchanting the crowd.  We rooted for Yellowman when he was trying so hard to keep playing in the heavy rain, but finally breaking when his band started getting shocked.  I’m looking forward to RORXXI.

Claudette G Hi Larry, This was my 3^rd yr attending Reggae in the Rocks, it was awesome!  I had a lot of fun dancing in the rain & the music was great!  Israel Vibration, Culture, Yellow Man Half Pint are a few of my favorites- they jammed. I think it would have been great to see pictures of this year’s crowd dancing in the rain. What do ya think? (I agree, send any pics anyone has to Larry Leiber) 

Jeff W - Larry, I just read your review of ROR 20. I was one of the souls out enjoying the music and the rain.

Filomena - Larry, just wanted to say nice review, and that I was out in the rain.  Regardless, it was so much fun hanging out in the rain and listening to the music.  It was great and its a shame that many people left, for that is what Reggae is all about.   oh yeah, I've been to ROR for about 4 or 5 years, not sure.