Toots & the Maytals - Very Best of Toots & the Maytals

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 Amazon.com

Toots

Love, Love, Love this CD.

It brings back lots of memories of listening to the radio as a child.

I told a friend that I had it and they wanted mine so I bought them their own. October 16, 2008

I don't know reggae but I know I like this album

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R229ALBVJLPV03 I've been collecting what I consider to be good reggae since the movie:The Harder They Come (includes Soundtrack CD). My favorites off this album are 'Pressure Drop' and 'Sweet and Dandy', but everything is listenable. I don't like most reggae so nineteen songs from one artist with no losers says a lot about the artist.

Some may say that means it's commercial - first of all I don't think it is other than in the sense you don't have to be an enthusiastic reggae fan to enjoy it. In the second place, 'commercial', except in the really crass cases is usually a musical term for 'sour grapes', in my old but otherwise uninformed opiion. February 17, 2008

Really great music

I had never listened much to reggae in the past but this cd has made me a true believer. Toots and his group have made music that is wonderful and timeless. This is easily the best cd that I have purchased in a long time and will highly recommend it to anyone. December 7, 2006

Not the Best Collection

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. May 29, 2006

Toots & the Maytals Rule!

I was lucky enough to see both Bob Marley & the Wailers and Toots & the Maytals on the same double bill at the Beacon Theater in NYC back in the '70's. Until then I had heard neither. While Bob Marley was phenomenal. He did more with simply folding his arms than most rockers do flailing all around the stage & smashing guitars. But the true revelation was Toots & the Maytals. They didn't stop until they rocked the house. Listening to this "Best of" collection brings that night home to me. If you've never experienced Toots & the Maytals, buy this collection, and give it a listen. You won't stop dancing and swaying. I promise. April 19, 2006

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