Dimension Zero This Is Hell CD - Import

The evolution of the project has its origins on the performance stage and ultimately in the individual artists' parallel efforts towards healing and cultural understanding. The initial idea came about when they met at a performance in Northern California during the fall of 2007. Youssoupha Sidibe performed after Midnite did on the evening's bill. When Youssoupha began to play, the members of Midnite began to participate by vocalizing during the kora performance. On that same night, Vaughn Benjamin asked Youssoupha whether he would like to record together and they headed in to the studio. The two artists then made plans to continue the recording process and Youssoupha traveled to Midnite's home on the island of St. Croix. Over a period of a month in December in 2007, the tracks for FOR ALL were laid down. The recording engineer for this collaboration is Keyronie Allembert, and the songs were recorded at his Make Moves studio. Keyronie played an integral part in the project, contributing to songwriting and arrangements. He has done many recordings and projects with Vaughn over the years. Originally from St. Croix, Keyrone returned to the island after a period of time spent in Florida. Youssoupha describes the vibes as very strong during the recording process explaining, 'We were very excited when we were doing this, it was like we were making history.

'What the project signifies is the first instance where African traditional artist and a modern reggae artist have collaborated on a full-length recording that has been made available to the record buying public. As Youssoupha notes: "I went to St. Croix to bring the tradition back." And the evocative nature of this set of recordings is noted as he recalls, "When I went there, it was making me feel like I am doing something important, I didn't even hesitate, I was thinking that this my home and those are my people.