Album Notes

...In 2002 VIbrance The Arts was established, by Arif Anwar, with a focus on documenting reggae artists and reggae music coming out of the Virgin Islands. Being a lover of roots music, as well as the Virgin Islands (St. Croix) being where he grew up, Arif would soon express the desire to make his own music. He first got a taste after discovering his talents of dance and spoken word. A self-taught musician, he would learn to play the drums, bass, percussions and some keys. This leading to the deeply rooted island sound, \"Anchants\". Gaining momentum, Anchants played with some of the more established names to come out of the VI roots family, as well as ones from the North Carolina, Raleigh area.
“Initially, I just wanted to create the music that I was hearing in my head. I thought I would have to start a band to create these sounds, then I realized that a band was necessary to deliver the music on stage, but if I learned to play each instrument, I could record them myself.”
This soon lead to VIbrance The Arts taking form as an independent record label. In this capacity, VTA would produce “Serenity,” the May, 2007 debut release for both the label and Trinidad-born writer and vocalist, Empress Cherisse. 2008 would mark the release of \"Merkaba\" the label\'s second production, which again displayes Arif\'s musicianship but also sheds light on the vocal and writing abilities that complete the sound of the Anchants. This is the first compilation production for the label as well as the artists, Anchants and Empress Cherisse.