On the heels of a mistrial in his drug conspiracy case, reggae superstar, Buju Banton’s prophetic new album, Before The Dawn was released this week in North America (and Japan). The album debuted at #2 on iTunes. The release date for the UK and France has been set for Monday, October 4, however, it will be available in the rest of Europe a few days earlier on Friday, October 1. Fans around the world may pre-order the album now on both iTunes and Amazon.com.
Despite his current incarceration, Buju was heavily involved in putting together this latest offering – from choosing the final track listing and laboring over the phone with the producers and engineers to get the mixes just right, to conceptualizing the project’s distinguished packaging. Physical copies of the album contain a special note written from inside the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, Florida, where he has been patiently awaiting trial for the past nine months
The ninth studio album by the international music icon, Before The Dawn boasts 10 powerful tracks that comprise some of the most powerful songs written by Banton since his professional entry into the music business over twenty years ago.
Recorded at Banton’s own Gargamel Music studio in Kingston, Jamaica, Before The Dawn literally pierces the soul with traditional roots on the track “Do Good,” classic rock on the tune “No Smoking At All,” and heartfelt reggae on the especially potent “Battered & Bruised.” The album’s unofficial anthem, “Innocent” strikes a highly personal chord that will resonate deeply with longtime fans.
At press time, Buju remains in custody in Florida awaiting a bail hearing on October 6. The U.S. government is objecting to the motion for bail filed on behalf Buju Banton. The motion filed by Assistant US Attorney James Preston in the Sam M Gibbons federal court here, has said that Banton’s attorney has not given any legal support that the entertainer should be released pre-trial.
