Toots & The Maytals | ||
| Allmusic Biography : While they never achieved the commercial success or cultural impact of the Wailers, Toots & the Maytals were nearly as important in the history of Jamaican music; like the Wailers, the Maytals thrived as ska gave way to rocksteady and then evolved into reggae, they boasted one of the islands finest singers and most charismatic frontmen in the great Toots Hibbert, and they worked with many of the most important producers and sidemen on the island. The Maytals were also the band that most clearly demonstrated the links between Jamaican sounds and American R&B; (Hibberts rich, emotive vocal style was informed by Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and other soul icons), and the groups catalog contains a number of crucial, frequently covered tracks, most notably the classic "Pressure Drop." Toots & the Maytals were founded by Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, who was born in May Pen, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica in 1945. Hibbert was the youngest in a family of seven children, and first took up singing as a member of the church choir. In 1961, Hibbert set out for Kingston, and struck up a friendship with Nathaniel "Jerry" Matthias and Henry "Raleigh" Gordon, a pair of singers with a smattering of recording experience. The three formed a vocal group, and in 1962 they were discovered by producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, who signed them to his Studio One label. After releasing a debut single, "Hallelujah," under the name the Vikings, the trio became known as the Maytals, and beginning with "Fever," they issued a number of singles that were compiled into the 1963 album Never Grow Old. The Maytals Studio One sides featured accompaniment by the legendary Jamaican band the Skatalites, and were dominated by strong, gospel-influenced close harmonies and Hibberts soulful lead vocals. After two years with Studio One, the Maytals briefly worked with producer and ska pioneer Prince Buster before signing on with another Jamaican record man of note, Byron Lee, in 1965. The Lee-produced material showed the Maytals were developing a more mature and polished approach, but the group hit a serious roadblock in 1966, when Hibbert was arrested for possession of marijuana; he was convicted, and would serve a year behind bars. In 1967, Hibbert was a free man, and he reunited with Matthias and Gordon, renaming the group Toots & the Maytals. Hibberts stay in prison coincided with ska fading from the musical landscape in Jamaica as the proto-reggae sounds of rocksteady took its place. The new style suited Toots & the Maytals, and they signed with producer Leslie Kong, with whom the group would record some of its biggest hits, including "Pressure Drop," "Sweet and Dandy," "Monkey Man," "54-46 (Thats My Number)," and "Do the Reggay," the latter often cited as the song that gave the new style of music its name. When "Monkey Man" became a British hit in 1970, Toots & the Maytals began enjoying success outside Jamaica for the first time, and in 1972, "Pressure Drop" and "Sweet and Dandy" were featured on the soundtrack of the film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff. The movie was a smash in Jamaica and became an art house sensation in the United States, as the film and its soundtrack album helped make American listeners aware of the growing reggae phenomenon. In 1971, Leslie Kong died, and Warwick Lyn, Kongs primary recording engineer, took over as the groups producer; Chris Blackwell, whose Island Records label was enjoying success releasing reggae material in the U.K. and U.S. (particularly Bob Marley & the Wailers), also joined their production team, and before long he would sign the group to Island, releasing a revamped version of the album Funky Kingston in the United States in 1975. That same year, Toots & the Maytals made their American concert debut opening a tour for the Who, though their stateside audience gave Toots a cool reception. With the 1976 album Reggae Got Soul, Island hoped to open up Toots & the Maytals to the R&B; audience in America, but while the album was well received, their American following remained little more than a lively cult. Toots & the Maytals focused on pleasing their Jamaican and British fans with their next two albums, 1979s Pass the Pipe and 1980s Just Like That, and they made their way into The Guinness Book of World Records with their next release, Live; recorded during a concert at Londons Hammersmith Palais, an early limited-edition release of the LP was available in shops within 24 hours of the performance it captured. By this time, a new generation of fans was discovering the Maytals after the Clash covered "Pressure Drop" and the Specials included "Monkey Man" on their debut album. Following the release of the 1981 album Knock Out!, the trio split up, and Matthias and Gordon retired from the music business, while Hibbert continued as a solo artist. While Hibbert stayed busy as a live act, he didnt record again until 1988, when after playing a well-received set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, he was approached by the head of Mango Records about cutting an album of American soul and R&B; classics. Toots in Memphis paired Hibbert with the powerhouse Jamaican rhythm section of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare and members of the Hi Records and Stax Records studio bands. The album was enthusiastically received by critics and earned Hibbert a Grammy nomination. In the mid-90s, Hibbert assembled a new version of Toots & the Maytals without Gordon and Matthias, and toured extensively while recording a handful of albums for various reggae specialist labels. Toots & the Maytals made a high-profile comeback in 2004 with the album True Love, in which Toots re-recorded a number of his best and best-known songs with a stellar collection of guest stars, including Eric Clapton, No Doubt, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, and the Roots. After this Grammy-winning collection of duets, Hibbert stepped back to the spotlight on his own for 2007s Light Your Light, and in 2012 his latest edition of the Maytals set out on a global acoustic tour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their recording debut. A pair of concert albums, Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Strawberry Hill and Live! appeared that same year. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 36 Title: Never Grow Old Released: 1964 Tracks: 16 Duration: 42:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Ill Never Grow Old (02:07) 2 Sweet Sweet Jenny (02:37) 3 Are You Mine (02:57) 4 Matthew Mark (02:43) 5 My Destination (02:44) 6 True Love (02:56) 7 Just Got to Be (02:24) 8 Treat Me Bad (02:43) 9 Hallelujah (02:39) 10 Dont Let (03:02) 11 War No More (Down by the Riverside) (02:55) 12 Tell Me You Love Me (02:29) 13 Six and Seven Books of Moses (02:22) 14 Four Season (version 1) (02:40) 15 Four Season (version 2) (02:39) 16 Im Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) (02:44) |
| Never Grow Old : Allmusic album Review : A reissue of the Maytals debut album, recorded in 1962 and 1963, with four bonus cuts from the same era. Like all of the major Jamaican bands of the time, the Maytals were performing ska during this era, and doing a pretty good job of it, although the more distinctive stylings of their reggae prime are only hinted at here. Produced by C.S. Dodd (who co-wrote most of the songs with Toots Hibbert), and featuring the Skatalites on backup, its respectable early ska, though not as good as the ska laid down by the Wailers in the mid-60s. One of the bonus tracks, a cover of "Im Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)," is the highlight, with its infectiously bouncy verve. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 36 Title: The Sensational Maytals Released: 1965 Tracks: 12 Duration: 27:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Its You (02:05) 2 Daddy (02:40) 3 Never You Change (02:31) 4 If You Act This Way (02:25) 5 Its No Use (02:51) 6 You Make Me Feel the Way I Do (02:23) 7 Whats on Your Mind (02:10) 8 My New Name (02:20) 9 Fever (02:15) 10 She Will Never Let Me Down (02:04) 11 I Know (02:03) 12 Tell Me the Reason (01:54) |
| The Sensational Maytals : Allmusic album Review : Like so many of Jamaicas greatest groups, the Maytals launched their career at Studio One, and then like so many that found fame, the group then switched its allegiance, first making the studio rounds, before spending a spell with Prince Buster. Before 1964 was out, however, the trio had linked with Byron Lee for whom it recorded its first Jamaican chart-topper, "Its You." That hit was finally pushed off the top of the charts by the singles flip side, the soulful, doo wop ballad "Daddy." By the time the Maytals released their second single, the skanking "Fever," all of Jamaica was infected, and from there on out the hits rained down. The gospel-inflected jubilance of "Never You Change," its polar thematic opposite, the adamant "If You Act This Way," and the exuberantly goofy "My New Name" all rocketed up the Jamaican chart. The trios exhilarating gospel-flavored vocals suited any style, be it the sweet blues of "Its No Use," the jazzy brass-drenched "Whats on Your Mind," the fabulous R&B; found on "I Know," which also boasts a superb solo from guitarist Ernest Ranglin, the mento that inspires "She Will Never Let Me Down," and, of course, the many propulsive ska numbers. So strong were these singles that before 1965 had drawn to a close, an impatient Lee bundled up a batch and pressed them onto a full-length, appropriately titling the set The Sensational Maytals. The group certainly was sensational, and although many more hits were still to come, this album was the perfect portrait of the group at its ska height. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 36 Title: Sweet and Dandy Released: 1968 Tracks: 12 Duration: 37:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Monkey Man (03:45) 2 Pressure Drop (02:58) 3 I Shall Be Free (04:04) 4 Bla Bla Bla (02:44) 5 Just Tell Me (02:22) 6 We Shall Overcome (03:26) 7 Sweet and Dandy (03:00) 8 Scare Him (02:30) 9 Alidina (version 1) (02:28) 10 I Need Your Love (04:02) 11 54-46 Thats My Number (03:23) 12 Oh Yeah (02:39) |
 | Album: 4 of 36 Title: Slatyam Stoot Released: 1972 Tracks: 10 Duration: 32:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Louie Louie (02:37) 2 Pomps & Pride (03:02) 3 Daddy (05:03) 4 If You Act This Way (03:15) 5 Pressure Drop (02:28) 6 Redemption Song (03:13) 7 Come Reggay (03:21) 8 The Same Thing (03:28) 9 Coolie Baby (03:15) 10 It Was Written Down (03:00) |
 | Album: 5 of 36 Title: From the Roots Released: 1973 Tracks: 14 Duration: 39:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Pee Pee Cluck Cluck (02:26) 2 Loving Spirit (03:04) 3 Doctor Lester (aka African Doctor) (02:41) 4 Gold & Silver (02:36) 5 Koo Koo (02:43) 6 Revival Reggae (03:00) 7 Thy Kingdom Come (02:37) 8 One Eye Enos (02:36) 9 A Time to Love (02:52) 10 9 OClock (02:57) 11 Know Me Good (03:02) 12 Got to Feel (03:23) 13 Feel So Good (02:43) 14 Give Peace a Chance (02:46) |
| From the Roots : Allmusic album Review : From the Roots was Toots & the Maytals fourth album, released by Trojan following the groups signing to Island Records in 1973. The record was cobbled together from odds and ends of tracks recorded between 1969 and 1970 for Leslie Kongs Beverleys label, and while it doesnt contain any of the more famous Kong-produced cuts ("Pressure Drop," "Sweet and Dandy"), it still exhibits the Maytals trademark Jamaican version of gospelfervor, led by lead singer Toots Hibberts barn-burning vocal style. Arguably this album, along with its Kong-produced predecessor, 1970s Monkey Man, contains the best and most explosive tracks in the Maytals discography, and compilations that reshuffle the two albums in different combinations are common in the record bins. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 36 Title: Funky Kingston Released: 1973 Tracks: 8 Duration: 37:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sit Right Down (04:44) 2 Pomp and Pride (04:32) 3 Louie Louie (05:47) 4 I Can’t Believe (03:32) 5 Redemption Song (04:13) 6 Daddy’s Home (05:48) 7 Funky Kingston (04:56) 8 It Was Written Down (03:40) |
| Funky Kingston : Allmusic album Review : Toots & the Maytals first LP for Chris Blackwell was originally released in the early 70s, and it includes solid sides like "Pomp and Pride," a whacked-out restructuring of Richard Berrys "Louie, Louie," and the wonderful title track, "Funky Kingston." Blackwell reissued a bulked-up version of Funky Kingston in the mid-70s on his Mango subsidiary, adding in the immortal "Pressure Drop," the brilliant "Time Tough," and a reimagining of John Denvers "Country Roads" (simply called "Country Road"), to make a much better and stronger set. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 36 Title: In the Dark Released: 1974 Tracks: 12 Duration: 39:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Got to Be There (03:08) 2 In the Dark (02:49) 3 Having a Party (02:52) 4 Time Tough (04:26) 5 I See You (03:18) 6 Take a Look in the Mirror (03:20) 7 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:24) 8 Fever (02:31) 9 Love Gonna Walk Out on Me (03:17) 10 Revolution (03:35) 11 54-46 Was My Number (03:29) 12 Sailing On (03:36) |
| In the Dark : Allmusic album Review : In the Dark is a ska/reggae classic that captures the Maytals in their prime, brimming with energy. In the groups music, the positive vibrations of reggae and the deep soul of singer Frederick "Toots" Hibbert are united and elevated by a pervasive spirituality. Exuding warmth and goodwill, Toots & the Maytals seek to excise their sorrows through joyful celebration and praise. "Got to Be There" sets the mood perfectly with its jubilant roll call into heaven. Hibberts religious concerns are equally strong on "In the Dark," a song directed at those lacking belief. But he continually succeeds in reaching across lines of strict faith. The emotions in the Maytals music always defy such boundaries. Similarly, this soulful reggae blend has the power to communicate to diverse musical tastes, reggae converts and unbelievers alike. "Im from Jamaica/I want to do my Jamaican stuff," sings Toots, inviting everyone to watch and listen. Backing him is a formidable rhythmic force, capable of luring anyone out onto the dancefloor. At times, the grooves are so dense with reggaes characteristic syncopation that rhythms seem to spring forth from multiple directions. "Time Tough" layers organ stabs, chopping reggae rhythms, and tight, coiled guitar lines along with call and response vocals. In the Darks classic status may be assured from three songs alone: signature numbers "54-46 Was My Number," "Time Tough," and the Maytals rendition of John Denvers "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (which sounds like it was written for Hibbert to sing). But the Maytals hit the mark with every song on this collection. Like the best of the blues, gospel, and soul, they turn struggle into strength. When Hibbert sings "Im so lonely/Im so blue" on "In the Dark," he makes the emotions seem truly addictive; if the blues felt as good as they sound here, people would be lining up to get their dose. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 36 Title: Reggae Got Soul Released: 1976 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rasta Man (05:56) 2 Premature (03:11) 3 So Bad (02:57) 4 Six and Seven Books of Moses (03:30) 5 I Shall Sing (02:41) 6 Reggae Got Soul (03:08) 7 Everybody Needs Lovin (03:10) 8 Living in the Ghetto (03:38) 9 True Love Is Hard to Find (04:14) 10 Never You Change (03:10) |
| Reggae Got Soul : Allmusic album Review : Among his landmark releases, this album wasnt quite as magnificent as Funky Kingston, but still contained plenty of explosive numbers and Otis Redding-influenced leads from Toots Hibbert. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 36 Title: Pass the Pipe Released: 1979 Tracks: 8 Duration: 38:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Famine (03:11) 2 Inside, Outside (03:58) 3 Feel Free (04:38) 4 Get Up, Stand Up (06:16) 5 No Difference Here (05:43) 6 Rhythm Down Low (03:29) 7 My Love Is So Strong (04:35) 8 Take It From Me (No Honey, No Love) (06:22) |
| Pass the Pipe : Allmusic album Review : Theres nothing really wrong with this record besides the fact that its somewhat anonymous. Toots charm lies in the fact that he and his band sound like Otis Redding and the MGs dropped into the midst of Kingston. Thats why this record sounds so odd. The groove is straight reggae territory mined to greater effect by mates Marley and Tosh. Those gentlemen were larger than life figures, the sort of blokes you could never imagine meeting. Toots was a different sort of fellow, and his music is different as well; at its best it sort of invites you to come in and throw your coat on the couch. The groove here demands close attention, and while the band can play it, they dont sound like theyre having much fun. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 36 Title: Live Released: 1980 Tracks: 10 Duration: 59:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Pressure Drop (04:15) 2 Sweet & Dandy (03:01) 3 Monkey Man (03:45) 4 Get Up, Stand Up (06:11) 5 Hallelujah (04:11) 6 Funky Kingston (05:32) 7 54-46, Thats My Number (09:07) 8 Time Tough (06:14) 9 I Love You So (07:25) 10 Reggae Got Soul (10:14) |
| Live : Allmusic album Review : Anyone who had the pleasure of catching Toots and the Maytals live in the 70s or 80s will attest to the fact that they didnt hesitate to go that extra mile on-stage. Without question, they had one of reggae and skas finest live shows -- in fact, you could say that singer/leader Toots Hibbert was as tireless a showman as James Brown or George Clinton. The bands vitality is beautifully captured by this superb album, which came out in 1980, and documents a show at the Hammersmith Palais. True to form, Hibbert spares no passion on performances of hits that range from "Funky Kingston," "Pressure Drop," and "Monkey Man," to "Get Up, Stand Up" (not to be confused with Bob Marleys song), "54-46, Thats My Number," and "Time Tough." Thankfully, theres plenty of documentation of Toots and the Maytals show. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 36 Title: Knock Out! Released: 1981 Tracks: 9 Duration: 40:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Careless Ethiopians (04:21) 2 Never Get Weary (04:17) 3 Revival Time (03:56) 4 Spend the Weekend (04:27) 5 Two Time (03:50) 6 Beautiful Woman (03:57) 7 I Know We Can Make It (04:28) 8 Missing You (06:10) 9 Will You Be Kind (05:06) |
 | Album: 12 of 36 Title: Live at Reggae Sunsplash 1982 Released: 1983 Tracks: 12 Duration: 57:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Sweetie Come Brush Me (06:39) 2 Wear You to the Ball Tonight (02:49) 3 Mek We Jam (03:31) 4 Endlessly (04:09) 5 I Pray Thee - Satta Amasagaña (03:28) 6 Every Nigger Is a Star (08:34) 7 Pressure Drop (03:34) 8 Get Up Stand Up (06:27) 9 Monkey Man (03:59) 10 (Marleys gone...) His Songs Live On (06:10) 11 Its You (03:45) 12 Bam Bam - Pomp and Pride (Medley) (04:37) |
 | Album: 13 of 36 Title: Reggae Greats Released: 1984 Tracks: 12 Duration: 41:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 54-46 (Thats My Number) (02:55) 2 Reggae Got Soul (03:08) 3 Monkey Man (02:59) 4 Just Like That (04:54) 5 Funky Kingston (03:32) 6 Sweet & Dandy (03:11) 7 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:22) 8 Time Tough (02:42) 9 Spiritual Healing (04:06) 10 Pressure Drop (02:58) 11 Peace Perfect Peace (04:34) 12 Bam Bam (02:52) |
| Reggae Greats : Allmusic album Review : If one had to boil Toots & the Maytals career to a mere dozen songs, most casual fans would come up with something fairly close to the track listing of this compilation. Released by Island in 1984, Reggae Greats succinctly summed up the bands success during the reggae age and beyond. Picking up the Maytals story with the release of Toots Hibbert from jail and the trios comeback smash, "54-46 Thats My Number," this collection duly proceeds to bounce around through the years. Theres a further clutch of classics from the early reggae age, including their Independence Festival song winner "Sweet & Dandy." The trios longtime producer Leslie Kong died much too soon in 1971, but the Maytals successes continued with the likes of "Funky Kingston" and "Reggae Got Soul," under the aegis of Dynamic Studios (run by Byron Lee). However, the trio called it a day in 1982, taking their final bow at that summers Reggae Sunplash festival. The year before, they released their final single, appropriately enough a recut of "Bam Bam," the song that had taken them to victory at the first Independence Festival back in 1966. The new "Bam Bam" featured Wally Badarou on synthesizer, and he would join Sly & Robbie for the recording of two new numbers, "Spiritual Healing" and "Peace, Perfect Peace," by the now solo Hibbert in 1984. Both were cut specifically for this set. Although far from a definitive collection by any means, for its day Reggae Greats was a decent entry into the Maytals reggae world. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 36 Title: Bla. Bla. Bla. Released: 1993 Tracks: 19 Duration: 57:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Scare Him (02:29) 2 Bla-Bla-Bla (02:41) 3 One Eye Enos (02:55) 4 We Shall Overcome (03:27) 5 Just Tell Me (02:24) 6 Alidina (02:29) 7 I Shall Be Free (04:03) 8 Pressure Drop (02:57) 9 Oh Yeah (02:42) 10 Monkey Girl (02:54) 11 Hold On (02:18) 12 I Need Your Love (03:08) 13 Monkey Man (03:44) 14 Sweet & Dandy (02:59) 15 Re-Born (02:23) 16 54 46 Thats My Number (03:26) 17 Bam Bam (04:19) 18 Bla Bla Bla (2nd version) (03:30) 19 Alidina (2nd version) (02:38) |
| Bla. Bla. Bla. : Allmusic album Review : The Maytals ended the ska era on a decided down note. Having spent that era working with many of Jamaicas foundation producers and unleashing a flood of hit singles, the band was poised for international stardom. Toots Hibberts arrest and imprisonment put paid to that, at least for a couple of years, as the group refused to record without him. Fans were devastated, and the world lost the opportunity of hearing the trio in rocksteady mode. The frontmans release in 1968 coincided with the rise of reggae, and the group celebrated his freedom in the new musical style with their smash hit "54-46 Thats My Number." That single was recorded for producer Leslie Kong, and marked the beginning of a spectacular relationship that saw a deluge of hit 45s follow, among them a pair of Independence Song Competition winners -- 1969s "Sweet and Dandy" and 1972s "Pomps and Pride." The Maytals remained loyally and successfully at Kongs side until his untimely death in 1971. Bla. Bla. Bla rounds up 19 recordings from this period, but as the omission of "Pomps" makes clear, its far from a definitive set. Then again, this is a good thing, for regardless of the Maytals profligacy, modern compilations tend to draw from the same restricted pool of smash hits and British club killers. This collection tries to right this wrong, and provide a more sweeping selection of songs. So, rude reggae fave "One Eyed Enos" rubs shoulders with rousing gospels like "I Shall Be Free," and skinhead stompers like "Monkey Man" skank up to slower numbers like "Pressure Drop." Theres also a fine re-recording of "Bam Bam," the original, which took the honors at the first Independence Festival Competition in 1966, and there are alternate versions of a pair of singles, "Bla Bla Bla" and "Aldina." Although many of these numbers may be unfamiliar to younger fans, one should be assured that during this era the trio never cut even a mediocre number, everything was of uniformly high caliber. The backings are all equally superb and Kongs productions flawless. In its day, Bla. Bla. Bla was a crucial compilation, and has rarely been superseded since. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 36 Title: A Reggae Collection Released: 1994 Tracks: 15 Duration: 57:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Funky Kingston (04:54) 2 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:24) 3 Revival Reggae (03:01) 4 In the Dark (02:48) 5 Louie Louie (05:39) 6 54-46 Was My Number (03:37) 7 Sit Right Down (04:38) 8 It Was Written Down (03:39) 9 Daddys Home (05:47) 10 Revolution (03:36) 11 Monkey Man (03:32) 12 I Cant Believe (03:32) 13 African Doctor (02:43) 14 Time Tough (04:30) 15 Gold and Silver (02:33) |
 | Album: 16 of 36 Title: Dont Trouble Released: 1995 Tracks: 14 Duration: 43:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Do the Reggae (03:09) 2 School Days (03:23) 3 Dont Trouble (02:50) 4 Water Melon (02:51) 5 Johnny Coolman (03:16) 6 Night and Day (02:55) 7 Bim Today (02:53) 8 Struggle (03:38) 9 Image Get a Lick (02:43) 10 John James (02:03) 11 Having a Party (02:48) 12 Time Tough (04:25) 13 I See You (03:16) 14 Got to Be There (03:05) |
| Don't Trouble : Allmusic album Review : Toots is one of reggaes greatest singers, a performer heavily influenced by American soul music. The Maytals craft harmonies that are sweet, tight, and spot on. Together, they produced some of the most galvanic music in the genres history. This CD features material recorded during the last years of the 60s. Toots & the Maytals were already a very popular group, having scored a number of hits during the ska years of mid-decade. They furthered their success by hooking up with producer Leslie Kong as the rock-steady sound came to prominence. It is the later set of work that is collected here, including the first release to ever feature the word "reggae" in its title, "Do the Reggay." The song served as a model for the profound new syncopation-heavy music that was to immediately follow. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 36 Title: Time Tough: The Anthology Released: 1996 Tracks: 41 Duration: 2:34:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Six and Seven Books of Moses (02:27) 2 Broadway Jungle (02:51) 3 It’s You (02:08) 4 Never You Change (02:36) 5 John & James (02:03) 6 54-46, Thats My Number (03:15) 7 Do the Reggay (03:16) 8 Desmond Dekker Came First (03:48) 9 Sweet & Dandy (03:01) 10 Monkey Man (03:32) 11 Peeping Tom (02:56) 12 One-Eyed Enos (03:02) 13 She’s My Scorcher (02:48) 14 Pressure Drop (02:43) 15 Pomp & Pride (04:29) 16 Funky Kingston (04:56) 17 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:22) 18 Time Tough (04:25) 19 In the Dark (02:49) 20 Reggae Got Soul (03:08) 21 Rastaman (05:54) 22 Living in the Ghetto (03:38) 23 Hallelujah (live) (04:34) 1 Get Up, Stand Up (06:16) 2 My Love Is So Strong (04:37) 3 Chatty, Chatty (04:11) 4 Gee Whiz (03:43) 5 Just Like That (04:54) 6 Careless Ethiopians (04:23) 7 Never Get Weary (04:16) 8 Spend the Weekend (04:30) 9 Beautiful Woman (03:59) 10 Bam Bam (02:54) 11 Spiritual Healing (04:40) 12 B for Butter (03:52) 13 Peace, Perfect Peace (04:39) 14 You Know (04:33) 15 (I’ve Got) Dreams to Remember (03:58) 16 Precious, Precious (04:01) 17 Hard to Handle (03:01) 18 Freedom Train (04:26) |
| Time Tough: The Anthology : Allmusic album Review : With a group as prolific as the Maytals, led by a singer whose career is as long-running as Toots Hibberts, few compilations will come away unscathed by fans and critics alike, least of all those that purport to be something more than a simple best-of collection. Time Tough: The Anthology is no exception, for even with two discs and 41 tracks the set can only scratch the surface of Toots & the Maytals canon. The biggest complaint comes straight off the bat, with a mere five songs dedicated to the ska years. During this era, the Maytals unleashed a flood of fabulous singles, with their last, 1966s "Bam Bam," winning Jamaicas annual Festival Song Competition. Five tracks gives awfully short shrift to this instrumental early period in the bands career. Much to fans regret, Toots Hibberts incarceration for drug possession saw the group sidelined during the rocksteady era, but they returned with a ferocity as the reggae era began. Under the aegis of producer Leslie Kong, the trio were unstoppable, sending a deluge of stellar singles into the chart, of which ten of the best are gathered up here. Kongs death in 1971 barely slowed the groups output, while a deal with Island Records saw international release for their crucial Funky Kingston, In the Dark, and Reggae Got Soul albums, whose tracks fill much of the rest of disc one. The first half of disc two follows the group until its demise (they took their final bow together at Reggae Sunsplash in 1982), with the rest of the tracks selectively following Hibberts solo career down to 1988. Thus, the compilation does provide an adequate overview, but weighted as it is toward the Kong and then the Island years, not necessarily a fair one. Still, most fans will be happy with the results, especially as the compilation includes a clutch of previously unissued songs. It still remains by far the most thorough collection available. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 36 Title: Monkey Man Released: 1997-01-21 Tracks: 10 Duration: 32:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 We Shall Overcome (03:27) 2 Just Tell Me (02:26) 3 I Shall Be Free (04:06) 4 Pressure Drop (02:58) 5 I Need Your Love (03:08) 6 Monkey Man (03:44) 7 Sweet & Dandy (03:00) 8 54-46 Thats My Number (03:27) 9 Blah Blah Blah (03:30) 10 Alidina (02:37) |
| Monkey Man : Allmusic album Review : For those reggae fans who took so quickly and proudly to Reggae Got Soul, Toots & the Maytals 1976 debut for Island Records, these sides on Trojan may prove to be quite a shock. What is contained on this re-release of Monkey Man, the Maytals true debut album from 1971, is just how raw and immediate the groups sound was. Having cut the first single that mentioned reggae music in 1968 with "Do the Reggay," and coming back with another winning single in "Sweet and Dandy" a year later, the Maytals before the Wailers were the first Jamaican band to distill soul and ska into something very different, something that would change music forever on the island. Among the highlights on Monkey Man are "Peeping Tom," the deep Otis Redding-inflected "Gold and Silver," a delightfully bastardized version of "Give Peace a Chance," and the classic reggae scorcher cum ska barnburner "Pressure Drop," made infamous by the Clash some seven years later. This is highly recommended, no, necessary for any fan of early, authentic, unsmoothed-over roots reggae. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 36 Title: Jamaican Monkey Man Released: 1998 Tracks: 30 Duration: 1:38:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Monkey Man (03:45) 2 Sit Right Down (04:38) 3 54-46 Was My Number (03:09) 4 In the Dark (02:46) 5 Pressure Drop (02:58) 6 Struggle (03:39) 7 Shes My Scorcher (02:57) 8 It Was Written Down (03:40) 9 Night and Day (02:56) 10 It Must Be True Love (03:11) 11 Fever (02:27) 12 Bim Today (Bam Tomorrow) (03:13) 13 Thy Kingdom Come (02:44) 14 I Cant Believe (03:29) 15 Johnny Cool Man (03:13) 1 Pomp and Pride (04:25) 2 Got to Be There (03:10) 3 Reborn (02:24) 4 I Feel Alright (02:21) 5 Funky Kingston (04:56) 6 Water Melon (02:53) 7 Gold and Silver (02:36) 8 Sailing On (03:39) 9 Its You (03:29) 10 Hold On (02:36) 11 Revolution (03:35) 12 Monkey Girl (02:46) 13 Alidina (03:11) 14 Redemption Song (04:08) 15 Oh Yeah (03:13) |
| Jamaican Monkey Man : Allmusic album Review : The original incarnation of Toots & the Maytals managed to assemble one of the most highly charged and distinctive bodies of work in the history of Jamaican music. Led by Toots Hibberts Kingston-by-way-of-Memphis lead vocals and the ragged call-and-response background singing of Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy and Raleigh Gordon, the trio created gospel-fueled reggae classics like "54-46 Was My Number," "Monkey Man," "Pomps and Pride," "Funky Kingston," and the immortal "Pressure Drop," all of which carried the wallop of the best and most enduring soul music of the day. This two-disc set brings together each of these classics plus several other ska and roots reggae gems produced by the great Leslie Kong, arguably the most sympathetic to the Maytals sound. Islands two-disc Time Tough anthology is a much more organized and complete two-disc look at the Maytals fiery career, but this one will do in a pinch. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 36 Title: Thats My Number Released: 1998 Tracks: 19 Duration: 57:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bam Bam (1966) (04:20) 2 Bla Bla Bla (02:42) 3 One Eye Enos (02:55) 4 We Shall Overcome (03:27) 5 Just Tell Me (single 1969) (02:24) 6 Alidina (02:30) 7 I Shall Be Free (04:03) 8 Pressure Drop (single 1969) (02:58) 9 Oh Yeah (02:42) 10 Monkey Girl (02:35) 11 Hold On (02:19) 12 I Need Your Love (03:09) 13 Monkey Man (03:44) 14 Sweet & Dandy (single 1969) (02:59) 15 Reborn (02:23) 16 54 46 (Thats My Number) (single 1968) (03:26) 17 Scare Him (02:30) 18 Bla Bla Bla (2nd version) (03:30) 19 Alidina (2nd version) (02:41) |
| That's My Number : Allmusic album Review : The Maytals had a lot of lost time to make up. With Toots Hibberts jailing in 1966, the band had been forced to sit out the entire rocksteady age. By the time of the frontmans release in 1968, the scene had already shifted to reggae, and nearly two years and an entire style had passed them by. It was time to get back to work. The group celebrated Hibberts freedom with the exuberant "54-46 Was My Number," an instant smash, and from that point on the group never looked back. With Leslie Kong at the helm, the Maytals unleashed an absolute deluge of singles, right up until the producers death in 1971 and beyond, and the band was never out of the charts. A clutch of their hits from this period have been recycled regularly on compilations, but Orange Street takes a different tack, bundling together 17 hits and two alternate versions solely from the years 1968 and 1969. Although they were all released as singles in the U.K., many of these songs have been neglected since, leaving younger fans to scour second-hand shops and eBay in search for them. Their efforts were worthwhile, for during this period the Maytals never released a less than stellar 45. The eclectic styling will come as a bit of a surprise as well, as listeners peruse the gorgeous doo wop-flavored "I Need Your Love," delve into the blues-heavy "I Shall Be Free," and bop along to the bouncy mento-flavored "Scare Him" before returning to the bands more typical gospel goodness on "Re-Born." Kongs productions were as inimitable as they were unbeatable, and his studio band, the Beverleys All Stars (aka Gladdys All Stars), were equally so, with the backings as sensational as the Maytals themselves. It may just be a snapshot of the bands career, but regardless, this compilation is a must-have for every fan. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 36 Title: Monkey Man / From The Roots Released: 1999 Tracks: 26 Duration: 1:16:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Peeping Tom (02:12) 2 Revival Reggae (03:06) 3 Give Peace a Chance (02:56) 4 Gold and Silver (02:33) 5 The Preacher (03:25) 6 Bla Bla Bla (02:44) 7 African Doctor (02:30) 8 Monkey Man (03:47) 9 Sun Moon and Star (03:13) 10 Pressure Drop (02:59) 11 Shes My Scorcher (02:56) 12 I Shall Be Free (04:02) 13 Pee Pee Cluck Cluck (02:23) 14 Loving Spirit (03:03) 15 Koo Koo (02:43) 16 Thy Kingdom Come (02:37) 17 One Eye Enos (02:35) 18 A Time to Love (02:52) 19 Nine O’Clock (02:57) 20 Know Me Good (03:01) 21 Got to Feel (It) (03:22) 22 Feel So Good (02:42) 23 Sweet and Dandy (02:59) 24 Never You Change (03:23) 25 Gonna Need Somebody (02:56) 26 I Alone (02:44) |
| Monkey Man / From The Roots : Allmusic album Review : Occasionally, a reissue comes along that re-instills faith in the record industry. Monkey Man/From the Roots was released by Trojan in 1999 and has everything a CD reissue should have: improved sound, original artwork, informative liner notes, and 70-plus minutes of great music. The Maytals third album, Monkey Man originally released in 1970, and their fourth, 1973s From the Roots, are included in this package. All 26 tracks were recorded by legendary producer Leslie Kong in 1969-1970. Along with the Maytals better-known songs ("Pressure Drop," "Sweet and Dandy," and "Monkey Man") are the catchy "African Doctor," a revamped cover of John Lennons "Give Peace a Chance," and the gospel preaching of "I Shall Be Free." While there are a number of excellent Maytals anthologies available, this reissue is desirable in that many of the songs on this set are not included in those collections. In addition, Monkey Man/From the Roots chronicles the period in which both Kong and Toots Hibbert were at the height of their creative powers. A great document. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 36 Title: Broadway Jungle Released: 2000 Tracks: 16 Duration: 58:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Pressure Drop (02:56) 2 Time Rough (04:20) 3 Do the Raggay (03:15) 4 54-46 Was My Number (03:06) 5 Louie Louie (05:42) 6 Monkey Man (03:45) 7 Redemption Song (04:07) 8 Peeping Tom (02:50) 9 Pomps and Pride (04:18) 10 One Eye Enos (03:00) 11 In the Dark (02:46) 12 Shes My Scorcerer (02:56) 13 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:22) 14 Its You (03:29) 15 Funky Kingston (04:54) 16 Broadway Jungle (03:26) |
 | Album: 23 of 36 Title: The Very Best of Toots & The Maytals Released: 2000 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:08:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Broadway Jungle (02:51) 2 Bam Bam (03:10) 3 54-46 (Was My Number) (03:11) 4 Do the Reggay (03:16) 5 Pressure Drop (03:44) 6 54-46 Thats My Number (02:55) 7 Sweet and Dandy (03:12) 8 Monkey Man (02:55) 9 Pomp & Pride (04:29) 10 In the Dark (02:49) 11 Funky Kingston (04:54) 12 Time Tough (04:24) 13 Reggae Got Soul (03:06) 14 Never You Change (03:10) 15 Living in the Ghetto (03:38) 16 Never Get Weary (04:16) 17 (Ive Got) Dreams to Remember (03:54) 18 Spiritual Healing (04:08) 19 Peace, Perfect Peace (04:48) |
 | Album: 24 of 36 Title: 54-46 Was My Number: Anthology, 1964-2000 Released: 2000-03-01 Tracks: 48 Duration: 2:34:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lets Jump (02:13) 2 When I Laugh (02:07) 3 When Bam Bam (03:09) 4 Love Is a Special Feeling (02:45) 5 Im a Big Man (02:49) 6 Aint Got No Tip (02:26) 7 54-46 Thats My Number (03:23) 8 Struggle (03:36) 9 Just Tell Me (02:41) 10 Reborn (02:21) 11 Bim Today (Bam Tomorrow) (02:52) 12 Hold On (02:33) 13 We Shall Overcome (03:26) 14 Schooldays (03:23) 15 Do the Reggay (03:08) 16 Scare Him (02:30) 17 Night and Day (02:54) 18 Water Melon (02:50) 19 Oh Yeah (03:14) 20 Dont Trouble Trouble (02:49) 21 Alidina (03:09) 22 Pressure Drop (02:58) 23 Sweet and Dandy (03:08) 24 Monkey Man (03:43) 25 Bla Bla Bla (02:44) 26 Shes My Scorcher (02:57) 27 Doctor Lester (A.K.A. African Doctor) (02:30) 1 54-46 Was My Number (03:12) 2 Peeping Tom (1970 version) (02:51) 3 Monkey Girl (02:48) 4 One Eye Enos (03:02) 5 Its You (1971 version) (03:30) 6 Walk With Love (02:28) 7 Johnny Coolman (03:19) 8 Never You Change (1971 version) (03:23) 9 It Must Be True Love (03:09) 10 Redemption Song (04:12) 11 Louie Louie (05:47) 12 Pomps and Pride (04:33) 13 It Was Written Down (03:40) 14 Sit Right Down (04:44) 15 Funky Kingston (04:55) 16 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:22) 17 In the Dark (02:48) 18 Sailing On (03:35) 19 Fever (02:27) 20 Time Tough (04:25) 21 Broadway Jungle (2000 version) (03:25) |
| 54-46 Was My Number: Anthology, 1964-2000 : Allmusic album Review : When youre faced with another Toots & the Maytals compilation, the question isnt whether its good. Of course its good, and as long as it includes all of the really essential material ("54-46 Was My Number," " Monkey Man," "Do the Reggay," "Pomps and Pride," "Pressure Drop," etc.), it will probably be about as good as any other. The question is, what sets this compilation apart from its numerous competitors? In this case, the answer is sheer, glorious quantity. Also voluminous liner notes and a nice midline price. All the necessary favorites are here, of course, but with a track listing totalling 48, theres also plenty of room for such relatively obscure gems as the rocksteady number "It Was Written Down," the charmingly gospel-flavored "In the Dark," and a horn-heavy Motown tribute titled "Fever." If this all sounds like more than you really need, start with the Music Club collection aptly titled The Very Best of Toots and the Maytals (all of which was licensed from the Trojan vaults). But if you just cant get enough of that funky Kingston stuff, dont hesitate to dive into this generous collection. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 36 Title: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Toots & The Maytals Released: 2001-08-14 Tracks: 12 Duration: 44:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Funky Kingston (04:49) 2 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:22) 3 Time Tough (04:25) 4 54-46 (Was My Number) (03:11) 5 Sweet and Dandy (03:16) 6 Pressure Drop (03:44) 7 Monkey Man (02:56) 8 Pomp and Pride (04:29) 9 In the Dark (02:49) 10 Reggae Got Soul (03:05) 11 (Ive Got) Dreams to Remember (03:54) 12 Freedom Train (04:29) |
| 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Toots & The Maytals : Allmusic album Review : Toots & the Maytals edition of 20th Century Masters is a very good summation of the groups greatest songs and therefore, their very importance. This doesnt have every great song theyve ever done, and is not as comprehensive as other overviews assembled, but as a budget-line collection, its first-rate, containing nearly everything a casual fan could want, including "Funky Kingston," "54-46 Was My Number," "Pressure Drop," and "Monkey Man." | ||
 | Album: 26 of 36 Title: World Is Turning Released: 2002 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:01:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Border Line (04:03) 2 The World Is Turning (04:13) 3 Feel Free (04:00) 4 Hit Meck (03:43) 5 Spend the Night (03:23) 6 Blame on Me (04:05) 7 Mini Conversation (03:50) 8 Our Father (04:07) 9 Love Is the Best (03:57) 10 Jungle (03:41) 11 Livity (04:13) 12 Half Way Tree (03:51) 13 Who Nuh Know (04:18) 14 More and More (03:55) 15 Honestly (06:00) |
| World Is Turning : Allmusic album Review : For their first album of all new material in two decades, Toots & the Maytals mix in a variety of Jamaican styles, including rocksteady, roots reggae, funky R&B;, nyahbinghi, pocomania, gospel, and even a touch of disco-rave. Thanks to the soulful power of Toots Hibberts voice, which has lost exactly none of its depth and nuance over the years, World Is Turning, even though it was recorded and mixed over an extremely long period (from 1973 to 2000), has a wonderfully coherent feel as if these songs were tracked all at the same session. While there arent any obvious songs here that measure up to earlier Maytals classics like "Pressure Drop," "Sweet and Dandy," "Funky Kingston," or "54-46 Thats My Number," that shouldnt stop fans of the fiery Toots from picking up this release. Among the highlights here is a recut version of "Feel Free," which features a vocal cameo from Luciano. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 36 Title: Funky Kingston / In the Dark Released: 2003 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:18:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sit Right Down (04:44) 2 Pomp & Pride (04:29) 3 Louie Louie (05:47) 4 I Cant Believe (03:29) 5 Redemption Song (03:25) 6 Daddys Home (05:04) 7 Funky Kingston (04:56) 8 It Was Written Down (03:03) 9 Got to Be There (03:07) 10 In the Dark (02:49) 11 Having a Party (02:47) 12 Time Tough (04:24) 13 I See You (03:15) 14 Take a Look in the Mirror (03:16) 15 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:22) 16 Fever (02:25) 17 Loves Gonna Walk out on Me (03:16) 18 Revolution (03:35) 19 54-46 Was My Number (03:24) 20 Sailing On (03:35) 21 Pressure Drop (03:45) |
| Funky Kingston / In the Dark : Allmusic album Review : This release collects two of Toots & the Maytals finest releases of the mid-70s: Funky Kingston, generally viewed as their finest album, and its follow-up, In the Dark. This is some of the finest music of the rocksteady era, and with improved sound over the individual album releases, a great place to start for Toots & the Maytals or the rocksteady movement in general. | ||
 | Album: 28 of 36 Title: Sweet and Dandy: The Best of Toots and the Maytals Released: 2003-04-21 Tracks: 40 Duration: 2:05:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Let’s Jump (02:14) 2 If You Act This Way (Original version) (02:21) 3 You Make Me Feel the Way I Do (02:23) 4 Never You Change (ska version) (02:32) 5 When I Laugh (02:08) 6 My New Name (02:18) 7 Tell Me the Reason (02:00) 8 Fever (02:20) 9 Bam Bam (03:10) 10 54 46 That’s My Number (03:23) 11 Struggle (03:37) 12 Just Tell Me (02:42) 13 Reborn (02:22) 14 We Shall Overcome (03:26) 15 Bim Today (Bam Tomorrow) (02:53) 16 Desmond Dekker Came First (03:48) 17 Do the Reggay (03:08) 18 Don’t Trouble Trouble (02:49) 19 Scare Him (02:30) 20 Night and Day (02:55) 1 Alidina (03:11) 2 Water Melon (02:50) 3 Pressure Drop (03:00) 4 Sweet and Dandy (03:08) 5 Monkey Man (03:48) 6 She’s My Scorcher (02:57) 7 Doctor Lester (aka African Doctor) (02:31) 8 54 46 Was My Number (03:12) 9 Peeping Tom (02:50) 10 It Must Be True Love (03:10) 11 One Eye Enos (03:01) 12 It’s You (reggae version) (03:29) 13 Redemption Song (03:08) 14 Louie Louie (05:47) 15 Pomps and Pride (04:32) 16 It Was Written Down (03:40) 17 (Take Me Home) Country Roads (03:24) 18 Funky Kingston (04:56) 19 In the Dark (02:49) 20 Time Tough (04:27) |
 | Album: 29 of 36 Title: True Love Released: 2004-04-06 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:01:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Still Is Still Moving to Me (03:11) 2 True Love Is Hard to Find (04:27) 3 Pressure Drop (02:56) 4 Time Tough (03:23) 5 Bam Bam (03:46) 6 54-46 Was My Number (04:39) 7 Monkey Man (03:39) 8 Sweet and Dandy (03:17) 9 Funky Kingston (04:05) 10 Reggae Got Soul (02:58) 11 Never Grow Old (03:27) 12 Take a Trip (03:57) 13 Love Gonna Walk Out on Me (03:33) 14 Careless Ethiopians (03:20) 15 Blame on Me (03:57) 16 Merry Blues (03:49) 17 Reggae Got Soul (02:54) |
| True Love : Allmusic album Review : That Toots Hibberts voice, drenched in Memphis soul and rooted in Jamaican gospel, is still a powerful instrument after four decades of performing is the first thing you notice while listening to this collection of duets with pop, rock and reggae artists. The second thing you notice is that this album isnt really very good, which is unfortunate, since this release will probably get more media attention than any other album hes been involved in, and hopefully that attention, at least, will lead listeners to check out Toots earlier work. Its difficult to put a finger on the problem here, since the recordings feature a great, full sound, and Toots sings like he always has, but things just dont click. Sometimes its just the duet pairings, which is the case with the lead track, which features Toots and Willie Nelson on Nelsons "Still Is Still Moving to Me." While its interesting to ponder how much ganja was smoked before this tune got tracked, in the end, Willie and Toots together just sound odd, and the song never manages to work its way past that. Eric Claptons wah-wah lead on "Pressure Drop" is just plain distracting, and while Jeff Beck fares somewhat better with his guitar work on "54-46 Was My Number," the fact remains that classic roots reggae rarely featured any lead guitar at all, and if the guitarists here (Trey Anastasio also gives it a try on "Sweet and Dandy") were trying for a kind of gospel call and response with Hibberts voice, well, it doesnt work. There are some tracks that do manage to catch a little fire here, although they tend to come late in the sequence. "Funky Kingston," featuring Bootsy Collins and the Roots, retains the loose, loopy groove of the original Maytals version, probably because, from Bootsys opening invocation of "are you ready for some Toots, Roots and Boots," nobody seems to take things too seriously, making this cut the only one on True Love that might be able to hook the urban hip-hop crowd. Keith Richards manages not to sound too ravished on "Careless Ethiopians," while Ben Harper and Hibbert effectively ride an atmospheric, slow-burning arrangement of "Love Gonna Walk Out on Me" to emotional fulfillment, but as a rule, aside from Toots amazing voice, not much is going on here underneath all the fanfare. Check out the early Maytals material and youll hear immediately why this album of collaborations falls short. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 36 Title: Pressure Drop: The Definitive Collection Released: 2005 Tracks: 49 Duration: 2:32:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 My Daily Food (01:33) 2 If You Act This Way (02:26) 3 You Make Me Feel the Way I Do (02:21) 4 Its You (Ska version) (02:05) 5 Daddy (02:39) 6 Never You Change (Ska version) (02:30) 7 Whats on Your Mind (02:08) 8 When I Laugh (02:07) 9 My New Name (02:17) 10 She Will Never Let Me Down (02:05) 11 Peggy (02:49) 12 Bam Bam (03:09) 13 54 46 Thats My Number (03:22) 14 Struggle (03:36) 15 Just Tell Me (02:42) 16 We Shall Overcome (03:25) 17 Bim Today (Bam Tomorrow) (02:53) 18 Schooldays (03:30) 19 Do the Reggay (03:08) 20 Scare Him (02:29) 21 Aldina (03:09) 22 Pressure Drop (02:58) 23 Sweet and Dandy (03:08) 24 Monkey Man (03:44) 25 Shes My Scorcher (02:57) 26 Bla Bla Bla (02:44) 27 Doctor Lester (aka African Doctor) (02:29) 1 54 46 Was My Number (03:12) 2 Peeping Tom (02:50) 3 It Must Be True Love (03:09) 4 One Eye Enos (02:59) 5 Monkey Girl (02:45) 6 Its You (Reggae version) (03:28) 7 Walk With Love (02:28) 8 Johnny Coolman (03:15) 9 Never You Change (Reggae version) (03:23) 10 Redemption Song (03:07) 11 Louie Louie (05:47) 12 Pomps and Pride (04:31) 13 It Was Written Down (03:39) 14 Sit Right Down (04:35) 15 (Take Me Home) Country Roads (03:23) 16 Funky Kingston (04:54) 17 In the Dark (02:48) 18 Sailing On (03:36) 19 Fever (02:28) 20 Time Tough (04:25) 21 Reggae Got Soul (03:08) 22 Broadway Jungle (2000 version) (03:24) |
| Pressure Drop: The Definitive Collection : Allmusic album Review : Although the original incarnation of Toots & the Maytals (Toots Hibbert, Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy, and Raleigh Gordon) parted ways in 1981 (Toots continues to tour with a revamped version of the Maytals), they managed between the years 1964 and 1974, the period covered by this two-disc retrospective from Trojan Records, to assemble one of the most highly charged and distinctive bodies of work in the history of Jamaican music. Led by Toots Kingston-by-way-of-Memphis lead vocals and the ragged call-and-response background singing of McCarthy and Gordon, the trio created gospel-fueled reggae classics like "Bam Bam," "54-46 Was My Number," "Monkey Man," "Sweet and Dandy," "Pomps and Pride," "Funky Kingston," and the immortal "Pressure Drop," all of which carried the stomp and wallop of the best and most enduring soul music of the day. Later gems like "In the Dark" and "Time Tough" kept the stomp and added wise and insightful lyrics to create classic songs that still ring solid and true 30 years later. Pressure Drop: The Definitive Collection brings together the best tracks from those crucial years, including sides produced by Ken Khouri, Byron Lee, Ronnie Nasralla, Warrick Lyn, and Delroy Williams (he produced the 2000 remake of "Broadway Jungle" that is included here), as well as several tracks produced by the great Leslie Kong, arguably the most sympathetic to the Maytals sound. Islands two-disc Time Tough anthology adds more early ska sides along with some post-1974 material to give a better portrait of the Maytals complete history, but the heart and soul of their reputation is still based on what youll hear in this set. | ||
 | Album: 31 of 36 Title: Roots Reggae: The Classic Jamaican Albums Released: 2005-10-07 Tracks: 66 Duration: 3:17:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Its You (02:05) 2 Daddy (02:40) 3 Never You Change (02:31) 4 If You Act This Way (02:25) 5 Its No Use (02:51) 6 You Make Me Feel the Way I Do (02:23) 7 Whats on Your Mind (02:10) 8 My New Name (02:20) 9 Fever (02:15) 10 She Will Never Let Me Down (02:11) 11 I Know (02:24) 12 Tell Me the Reason (02:00) 1 Monkey Man (03:45) 2 Pressure Drop (02:58) 3 I Shall Be Free (04:04) 4 Bla Bla Bla (02:44) 5 Just Tell Me (02:41) 6 We Shall Overcome (03:26) 7 Sweet and Dandy (03:00) 8 Scare Him (02:30) 9 Alidina (03:09) 10 I Need Your Love (03:12) 11 54-46 Thats My Number (03:23) 12 Oh Yeah (03:14) 1 Peeping Tom (02:13) 2 Revival Reggae (03:07) 3 Give Peace a Chance (02:56) 4 Gold & Silver (02:34) 5 The Preacher (03:26) 6 Bla Bla Bla (02:44) 7 Doctor Lester (02:32) 8 Monkey Man (03:49) 9 Sun, Moon & Star (03:15) 10 Pressure Drop (03:01) 11 Shes My Scorcher (02:57) 12 I Shall Be Free (04:10) 1 Walk With Love (02:35) 2 Teacher Teacher (02:37) 3 Peeping Tom (02:56) 4 One Eye Enos (03:02) 5 I Feel Alright (02:21) 6 54-46 Was My Number (03:15) 7 Monkey Girl (02:48) 8 Gonna Need Somebody (02:57) 9 I Alone (02:46) 10 Got to Feel It (02:42) 1 Louie Louie (02:37) 2 Pomps & Pride (03:02) 3 Daddy (05:04) 4 If You Act This Way (03:13) 5 Pressure Drop (02:30) 6 Redemption Song (03:13) 7 Come Reggae (03:22) 8 The Same Thing (03:28) 9 Collie Baby (03:14) 10 It Was Written Down (03:00) 1 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:22) 2 Time Tough (04:27) 3 Fever (02:30) 4 Revolution (03:35) 5 I Cant Believe (03:32) 6 In the Dark (02:50) 7 I See You (03:18) 8 Love Gonna Walk Out on Me (03:17) 9 Sailing On (03:38) 10 Take a Look in the Mirror (03:17) |
 | Album: 32 of 36 Title: Light Your Light Released: 2007-08-28 Tracks: 12 Duration: 40:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Johnny Coolman (03:16) 2 Premature (04:01) 3 Pain in My Heart (03:47) 4 Love So Strong (03:52) 5 Dont Bother Me (02:28) 6 Celia (02:51) 7 Image Get a Lick (02:49) 8 I Gotta Woman (03:28) 9 See the Light (03:21) 10 Tribute to Coxone / Guns of Navarone (03:19) 11 Do You Remember (03:33) 12 Light U Light (03:30) |
| Light Your Light : Allmusic album Review : There are, of course, no Maytals in Toots & the Maytals (the actual group broke up in 1981), and its all just Toots Hibbert these days, which is fine, really, since his gospel and Memphis soul-inflected vocals have made Toots one of the most explosive and exciting performers ever to come out of Jamaica. Light Your Light was produced by Toots in conjunction with with Zadig, but unlike 2004s duets album True Love (produced by Richard Feldman, who mixed this one), which diffused Toots powerful presence with a succession of rock star partners, this time out Toots is completely center stage (which is always a good thing). True, slide guitarist Derek Trucks is featured on the lead track, a reworking of Toots 1970s-era "Johnny Coolman," but he wisely works the tune instead of trying to steal it. Bonnie Raitt turns up on the second track, again a re-record, this time of the poignant "Premature," Toots cautionary tale about early pregnancy, and again Raitt lets the song lead things. Everything else is all Toots Hibbert, including a fine cover of Otis Reddings "Pain in My Heart," a bouncing "Celia" (featuring Toots son Hopeton on bass and legendary island drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace), a version of Ray Charles "I Got a Woman" (as "I Gotta Woman"), and the track that will probably get the most attention here, a tribute to the immortal Skatalites and to Studio One producer Coxsone Dodd called "Tribute to Coxson/Guns of Navarone" that features sax from Dean Fraser. In all, Light Your Light is a much better affair than the ill-advised True Love, with a clean, clear, and bright sound -- and then, of course, the vocal work of the remarkable Toots Hibbert, who just might be the most powerful singer Jamaica has ever produced. Light Your Light doesnt take things back to the glory days, but it doesnt embarrass, either, and shows that this remarkable performer still has plenty of gas in his tank and hopefully many more miles (and albums) to go. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 36 Title: Ska Father Released: 2008-09-16 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 You Really Got Me (03:42) 2 Broadway Jungle 98 (03:50) 3 Pressure Drop (03:41) 4 Bound to Win (04:09) 5 Do You Believe (03:58) 6 The Right and the Wrong Way (03:49) 7 All Alone (03:54) 8 Peter, James & John (04:55) 9 God Bless You (03:41) 10 Broadway Jungle [Dub Version] (04:05) 11 The Right and the Wrong Way [Dub Version] (03:48) 12 You Really Got Me [Dub Version] (04:18) |
| Ska Father : Allmusic album Review : Although the original incarnation of Toots & the Maytals (Toots Hibbert, Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy, and Raleigh Gordon) parted ways in 1981, Toots resurfaced in the early 90s with a revamped version of the group, and has continued to put out albums on various small labels ever since, including this one on Alla Son Records in 1998, which recasts earlier Maytals rocksteady hits like "Broadway Jungle" and "Pressure Drop" as lightly speeded-up ska. Nothing here reaches the fiery gospel fervor of the Leslie Kong-produced originals, but Toots has the kind of voice that would make a sung grocery list sound substantial and funky, so although Ska Father is hardly essential, it isnt a disaster either. "Broadway Jungle 98" refines the ragged, loose funk of the original version, coming out as a bit more studied, but it is still fun, and "Pressure Drop" is only slight less ominous in the speeded-up version presented here. Toots also tackles the Kinks "You Really Got Me" in ska style, which is definitely interesting. The album closes with dub versions of "You Really Got Me," "Broadway Jungle," and "The Right and the Wrong Way." | ||
 | Album: 34 of 36 Title: Flip And Twist Released: 2010-05-11 Tracks: 15 Duration: 54:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Almighty Way (03:55) 2 Perfect Lover (03:34) 3 Hope That We Can Be Together Soon (03:54) 4 Daddy (03:25) 5 Higher Ground (03:32) 6 Eye for an Eye (03:26) 7 Jungle (04:52) 8 Fool for You (03:27) 9 Bye Bye (02:36) 10 What Kind of Woman (02:42) 11 There Is a Reason (03:33) 12 Reconcile (03:09) 13 Good Woman (04:18) 14 Maybe Yow (04:33) 15 Got to Feel It (03:55) |
| Flip And Twist : Allmusic album Review : Toots Hibbert is one of reggae musics pioneers, a man who was on the scene during the ska years and participated in that musics transformation into rocksteady and the eventual midwifery of the slower, smokier reggae rhythms that emerged around the turn of the 1970s. So it should come as no surprise that his sound has always drawn as deeply on American soul, R&B;, and disco as on the mento and Caribbean sounds that were blended with R&B; in Jamaica to create what would eventually come to be called reggae. And while those who consider themselves reggae purists might be discomfited by Hibberts exploration of gospel, hip-hop, and modern R&B; on his latest album, they should bear in mind that this kind of fusion is strictly in keeping with reggaes truest roots. Of course, none of that matters if the songs arent catchy, but Hibberts greatest talent has always been for the hook, and that talent doesnt seem to have diminished over the four-plus decades of his career, nor has his gravelly, soulful voice weakened noticeably. Flip and Twist features brilliantly gospel-inflected soul tunes ("Perfect Lover"), swinging rockers reggae with a Gamble & Huff feel ("Hope That We Can Be Together Soon"), greasy funk ("What Kind of Woman"), and slinky blues ("Good Woman"). Its weakest moments (such as the silly skiffle-reggae workout "Bye Bye" and the drearily thumpy disco track "Jungle") tend to be the ones that stick too closely to a single music genre. Hibbert seems happiest and most in his element when blending sounds promiscuously. Thats when his listeners will be happiest too. | ||
 | Album: 35 of 36 Title: Pressure Drop: The Golden Tracks Released: 2011-07-12 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:01:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Pressure Drop (03:47) 2 54-46 Was My Number (03:55) 3 Funky Kingston (05:13) 4 Take Me Home, Country Roads (03:36) 5 Higher Ground (03:52) 6 Walking on the Moon (04:08) 7 Pressure Drop (Ska Drop) (03:10) 8 54-46 Was My Number (The dub version) (04:55) 9 Pressure Drop (Pressure House mix) (06:44) 10 54-46 Was My Number (Dubstep remix) (04:38) 11 Take Me Home, Country Roads (Dubstep remix) (04:52) 12 Higher Ground (Dubstep remix) (04:56) 13 54-46 Was My Number (instrumental version) (03:52) 14 Pressure Drop (instrumental version) (03:47) |
| Pressure Drop: The Golden Tracks : Allmusic album Review : Forget the Maytals, this is all Toots Hibbert taking his amazingly soulful and gospel-tinged voice back to revisit and re-record three of the Maytals finest songs, “Pressure Drop,” ”54-46 Was My Number,” and “Funky Kingston,” combined with Toots new versions of John Denvers “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Stevie Wonders “Higher Ground” and the Polices “Walking on the Moon,” along with assorted ska, instrumental , dance, and dub remixes of each (with the exception of “Walking on the Moon,” which is only featured in a single vocal version). Toots is still Toots, so his vocals are powerful and impassioned here, and while the original Maytals ska and rocksteady versions of “Pressure Drop” et al have a bit more raw vitality to them, Toots doesn’t drop the ball on these remakes by any means, making this an interesting, if hardly essential, addition to his discography. He always sings like the world is on fire and everything depends on the song. Here’s betting he never changes that. | ||
 | Album: 36 of 36 Title: The Best of the Maytals Released: 2016-05-06 Tracks: 40 Duration: 02:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Monkey Man (?) 2 54 46 That’s My Number (?) 3 Pressure Drop (?) 4 One Eye Enos (?) 5 She’s My Scorcher (?) 6 Don’t Trouble Trouble (?) 7 Johnny Cool Man (?) 8 Bim Today (Bam Tomorrow) (?) 9 Doctor Lester (aka African Doctor) (02:41) 10 Monkey Girl (?) 11 Oh Yeah (?) 12 Walk With Love (?) 13 Sun, Moon and Star (?) 14 Gonna Need Somebody (?) 15 Give Peace a Chance (?) 16 Never You Change (?) 17 School Days (?) 18 Bla Bla Bla (?) 19 I Feel Alright (?) 20 Struggle (?) 1 Sweet and Dandy (?) 2 Do the Reggay (?) 3 Peeping Tom (?) 4 Reborn (?) 5 It’s You (?) 6 Water Melon (?) 7 Got to Feel It (?) 8 It Must Be True Love (?) 9 Scare Him (?) 10 Just Tell Me (?) 11 Alidina (?) 12 I Alone (?) 13 We Shall Overcome (?) 14 Night and Day (?) 15 Thy Kingdom Come (?) 16 Gold and Silver (?) 17 Hold On (?) 18 Revival Reggae (?) 19 Desmond Dekker Came First (?) 20 54 46 Was My Number (?) |