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Very Best of
Toots & Maytals
Very Best of
Genres: Alternative Rock, International Music, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (19) - Disc #1

Toots Hibbert is often compared to Otis Redding, and since Hibbert was greatly influenced by classic American R&B as well as the music of his own Baptist church, that comparison is certainly apt. But while he owes a de...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Toots & Maytals
Title: Very Best of
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Island
Original Release Date: 4/25/2000
Release Date: 4/25/2000
Genres: Alternative Rock, International Music, Pop
Styles: Ska, Caribbean & Cuba, Jamaica, Reggae
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 731454234528

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Toots Hibbert is often compared to Otis Redding, and since Hibbert was greatly influenced by classic American R&B as well as the music of his own Baptist church, that comparison is certainly apt. But while he owes a debt to the intense, high-octane vocal approach of Redding, there is also a great deal of similarity between Toots and the great James Brown. In many ways and at roughly the same time, Hibbert did for Jamaican soul what Brown did for its American cousin--he made it funky and nasty! One listen to the chunky guitar riffs underneath and Hibbert's repetitive vocal chants on top of 1968's "Do the Reggay" and this much is clear: while the energy of ska remains, the deep groove has become supreme ruler. This awesome collection goes back to an early Prince Buster-produced single from 1964 and follows the Maytals--and with them, the history of Jamaican pop--from sweet-harmonizing, horn-driven ska to steadfast rock steady to archetypical roots reggae. And don't forget that Hibbert wrote 18 of these 19 jewels himself (there's one Redding cover here), showing himself to be highly effective with both topical tunes and cheerful rave-ups. --Marc Greilsamer

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Member CD Reviews

Justin S. from TEMPE, AZ
Reviewed on 1/25/2010...
Awesome! Must have for any 60s reggae collection!

CD Reviews

10/10 That's His Number!
Ralph Quirino | Keswick, Ontario Canada | 06/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of course, mention reggae music to nearly every human on the planet and the first name out of their mouths is Bob Marley. But if there's gotta be a #2 slot, then let it go to Frederick "Toots" Hibbert. He's the very embodiment of the word "journeyman". Influenced as much by classic sixties soul as by the bluebeat of his native land, Toots scored a series of funky, soulful, genuinely skanking hits in Jamaica and overseas. Total fans looking for a detailed and loving anthology are directed to TIME TOUGH, a double CD retrospective released in 1997 that touched on all the right bases. Those looking for a more concentrated dosage can line up here without guilt. If you regularly play the heck out of your Bob Marley LEGEND disc, then you'll equally play the heck out of this one, too. All the coolest cuts are here: "Bam Bam" (which was sampled and covered by Chaka Demus & Pliers), "54-46 That's My Number", "Reggae Got Soul" (where Kingston, Jamaica meets up with Atlanta, Georgia!), "Funky Kingston" and his remarkable remake of Otis Redding's "Dreams To Remember" (which, you may recall, was used as the music bed for a series of Club Med TV spots). The ultimate marriage of roots, rock, reggae on a disc that'll quickly become a fave! "54-46" may have been his number, but 10/10 is the number you can assign this set! Recommended!"
Not the Best Collection
Johnny Hodges | Clark Fork, ID United States | 05/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"While this is a very good collection, the double CD Time Tough: The Anthology includes all the tracks here, but does a better job of covering the whole Toots spectrum, and the sound quality is quite a bit better. So while I agree with the positive reviews here, you get a lot more bang for the buck with "Time Tough". And TT gives you a lot more of his latter work, when love and spirituality infused his work and raised reggae to a higher plane. Go on and spend the extra $10, you won't be sorry (like I was when I bought this then still had to go out and buy "Time Tough" to get a sampling of ALL the Toots and the Maytals I came to love through buying most of his LPs in the 70's and 80's."