Toots and the Maytals
The Jamaican vocalists Toots & the Maytals has over 40 years in the reggae business and holds the record with 31 No. 1 singles in Jamaica.
Band History
The career of the group chose its name from her home village in May Pen, began in the ska era. An audition at Studio One, which was monitored from producer Clement " Sir Coxone " Dodd and Prince Buster, was satisfactory, and they took their first single Hallelujah on. Soon (1964 ), the first hits presented with Six and Seven Books Of Moses (1963) and Broadway Jungle one. The religious and socially critical lyrics by Toots Hibbert songwriter stand out, similar to those of his colleagues Desmond Dekker and Justin Hinds, from consisting mainly of love songs from average.
1966 the band won the first "Jamaican Song Festival " with the piece Bam Bam. A long-drawn, sung in falsetto melody line contrasted here with a hard rap. In the text Toots made it clear that his attitude is peaceful, but that have to reckon with him with anger troublemakers. Underlaid is the whole thing with a loose calypso groove and the constantly repeating " Bam Bam " of the backup singers' mics.
Shortly after release of the song Toots was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession of marijuana (but he had only six months to settle ). As Toots allowed to leave the prison, a new musical style that Rocksteady, Ska had replaced.
The group is now working with producer Leslie Kong. 1968 processed Toots his prison experiences in the song 54-46 That's My Number ( one year later than 54-46 Was My Number reissued ). In the same year they give the music style, which is to replace the rock steady, with the single Do The Reggay his name - yet another notation is used, but it is the birth of reggae. In 1969 she won the "Jamaican Song Festival " for the second time. Your title Sweet And Dandy is a song about a nervous bride and groom.
In 1970, she published Monkey Man, which seven years later covered by the British band The Specials, should usher in the so-called " second wave of ska ". In the same year they play Pressure Drop one, a " scream orgy " of Toots Hibbert, who exemplifies the punchy - harsh sound of the band. 1971 dies Leslie Kong, and the group is now working with Chris Blackwell, the producer of Bob Marley.
In 1972, she won the Song Festival for the third time with Pomp & Pride. In addition, the reggae film " The Harder They Come ," in which Jimmy Cliff starring a " Rude boy" plays, appears. The Maytals carry two songs (Sweet and Dandy and Pressure Drop ) in the soundtrack and are seen in the recordings in the studio.
In 1973 she bring " Funky Kingston " out their first LP, which does not consist of pre-recorded music material. In the title song Funky Kingston there is a synthesis of funk and reggae. In addition, the album includes a cover version of Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver - from "West Virginia " is here quite naturally "West Jamaica". After the album "In The Dark" (1974 ) follows "Reggae Got Soul " (1976 ), in which the famous Steve Winwood (including Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith and Traffic ) helps out at the organ. The nominated for a Grammy plate " Toots - live" (1980 ) brings them an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, as it is to have just one day after its inclusion in the record stores. Is Also nominated for a Grammy " Toots in Memphis " (1988), where Toots, accompanied by Sly Dunbar on drums and Robbie Shakespeare on bass, at Motown classics such as Otis Redding's Hard to Handle or Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper Knock On Wood tries. " Skafather " (1998 ), consisting of new editions of old hits, brings a third Grammy nomination.
In 2005, she won the Grammy with "True Love" (2004) Best in category reggae album. The main partners are famous guest stars as the guitarist Keith Richards ( The Rolling Stones ), Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, the third wave ska group No Doubt, the ragga musician Shaggy, the former Bob Marley fellow Bunny Wailer, Marcia Griffiths, also earlier in Marley's band, Ken Boothe and country musician Willie Nelson.
Band Instrumentation
- Frederick " Toots " Hibbert - lead vocals
- Nathaniel "Jerry" Mathias aka " Mcarthy " - background vocals
- Henry ( Ralphus ) " Raleigh " Gordon - backing vocals