Jamaican supergroup releases a vibrant collection of classic rock covers.
The Mighty Rootsmen – Bulletproof Recording Company BPF1056LP stereo vinyl (complete credits below) ****1/2:
Reggae music began to surface in the late 1960’s with up tempo variations of ska and other music styles like rocksteady. There were socio-political themes in the lyrics and the movement reached a global audience in the early 70’s, with artists like Bob Marley, Toots Hibbert and Jimmy Cliff achieving mainstream success. One of the flashpoints was the impact on rock music. Groups like Led Zeppelin (“D’yer Maker”), The Police (“Roxanne”, “Walking On The Moon”) and Eric Clapton’s cover of “I Shot The Sheriff” fueled this Jamaican idiom.
Now, decades later, a supergroup of reggae artists have turned the tables on the rock community. The Rootsmen (consisting of Toots Hibbert, Gregory Isaac, Mykal Rose and Luciano on vocals, backed by studio legends (Sound And Power) like Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare) got together in 2009 and 2010 to initiate a project translating classic rock and pop to reggae templates. This self-titled debut (on the Bulletproof label) has finally been released and what a fun ride it is! The studio musicians which include some rockers, recorded in Kingston. Side I opens with Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”. With the classic reggae arrangements, anchored by Sly and Robbie, the trio of singers (Hibbert, Isaacs and Rose) alternate vocals and capture the innate feel of the song. Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell adds guitar. The good vibes continue with Stephen Stills’ “Love The One You’re With”. This feels natural in this format, with the vocalists singing together and exchanging gleefully. Muscular horns and sax add sone funk. Steve Miller plays on “Fly Like An Eagle” as the steady layered instrumentals balance the core essence of the song and Jamaica studio aesthetics. The staccato horns are well-timed, and there are soulful backup vocals. Hibbert’s and Rose’s interpretation of Cat Stevens’ “folk rock” anthem “Peace Train” is visceral, and the addition of wah-wah guitar is nimble and effective. Even the Eagles’ “Take It Easy” is humorously reinvented (“…standing on a corner in Kingston…”).
Dobie Gray’s infectious “Drift Away” combines the Memphis-infused soul and rootsy appeal with enthusiastic singing. Hibbert cuts loose here. The group manages to bring groove dynamics to the pop ditty “Summer Breeze”. All of the jaunty accents and shading result in a grittier version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop” with rocking guitar and emotive vocals. A surprising rendition of John Denver’s “Sunshine On My Shoulders” is not as compelling (Note: Toots did a spirited cover of Denver’s “Country Road”). But the finale “Come And Get It” is quirky and accessible like the Badfinger original.
The Mighty Rootsmen simply put is a celebration of the deep reggae connection to popular music. Due to the subsequent passing of some of the band, there is an undercurrent of nostalgia and melancholy. This album is a party and can be enjoyed anytime. The sound mix on this vinyl (also available on CD) is balanced with excellent stereo separation and centered vocals.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
The Mighty Rootsmen
TrackList:
Side I:
I Won’t Back Down (feat. Mike Campbell);
Love The One You’re With;
Fly Like An Eagle (feat. Steve Miller);
PeaceTrain;
Take It Easy
Side II:
Drift Away;
Summer Breeze;
Don’t Stop;
Sunshine On My Shoulders;
Come And Get It
Performing Artists
Toots Hibbert – vocals;
Gregory Isaacs – vocals;
Mykal Rose – vocals;
Luciano – vocals;
Sly Dunbar – drums;
Robbie Shakespeare – bass;
Mikey “Mao” Chung – guitar;
Dan Petty – lead guitar;
Robbie Lyn – keyboards;
Uzziah “Sticky” Thompson – percussion;
Glen DaCosta – saxophone
Franklin “Bubbler” Waul – keyboards;
David Madden – trumpet;
Calvin “Bubbles” Cameron – trombone;
Cat Cook – lead guitar;
Steve Miller – guitar;
Mike Campbell – guitar;
Leba Hibbert – backing vocals;
Carol Dexter – backing vocals;
Rovleta Fraser – backing vocals
