Sanctuary Records Group - Trojan

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Monkey Man – The Maytals

Released on 22 April 2003.

Originally issued in 1969 to capitalise the Maytals UK chart hit 'Monkey Man'. This CD features 13bonus tracks all of which were cut for Leslie Kong around the same time that the LP hit the streets.

The Maytals began recording in the early 60's cutting a series of best selling singles for Coxsone Dodd. Subsequent successful spells wih Prince Buster and Ronnie Nasralla followed before the trio of Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert, Nathaniel 'Gerry' McCarthy and Henry'Raleigh' Gordon signed to Kong's Beverley label in late 1967.

This album coming out at the height of the skinhead era is dominated by Toots powerful gospel tinged vocal, backed with sweet call and response harmonies. The success of Monkey man and related cuts and in particular Pressure drop were driven along by a fast emerging reggae rhythm.

The actual album delves into consciousness and Africanism but also has some pretty mindess lyrics as well. Sublime and ridiculous. Frankly the album itself is pretty forgettable save for the overplayed yet wonderful Monkey Man and the great Pressure Drop, just about She's my scorcher, and 'I shall be free' of which more in a minute. The rest are variations on a theme and do not hit the spot quite so well.

However the surprise is in the final cut 'I shall be free'. This is barely reggae at all but a strong and pleading, lyrically conscious, gospel flavoured deep soul ballad, with soothing harmonies. Wonderful stuff.

The bonus tracks are more consistent than the album with the raucous and humourous 'Sweet and Dandy', the prison vest 54-46 was my number, one of the all time favourite anthems from the era. More gospel with doowop vocal styling on the fantastic 'It's you'. Fun songs (Monkey Girl) and love songs (Walk with love or It must be true love) follow each with the passionate unmistakeable familiar phrasings. Johnny Coolman is Otis Redding taken to Jamaica. Never you change is also a great track.

I have to say that the bonus tracks, save for the last two or three items, gave me immense pleasure. Apart from the aforementioned tracks on the album concentrate on these.

 

Tracks: - Peeping Tom, Revival Reggae, Give Peace a chance, Gold and Silver, The Preacher, Bla bla bla, African Doctor, Monkey Man, Sun, Moon & Star, Pressure Drop, She's my scorcher, I shall be free. Bonus tracks:- Sweet and dandy, 54-46 was my number, It's you, Monkey Girl, Walk with love, Johnny Coolman, Feel Alright, It must be true love, Gonna need somebody, Never you change, Bam Bam, Peeping Tom (alt version), Bla Bla Bla (alt version)

 

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